Tuesday, 6 Oct 2015

Written Answers Nos. 692-716

Home Tuition Scheme Funding

Questions (692)

Finian McGrath

Question:

692. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 912 and 913 of 26 May 2015, in which she stated that her Department has no contract with the provider in question, or any other provider, in respect of the home tuition scheme, if she will explain the statement of the Comptroller and Auditor General in his annual report of 29 September 2015 that providers invoice her Department directly for the services delivered, a statement which appears to indicate that a contract does exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34739/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Where parents of children who are eligible for home tuition have sought alternative arrangements to be put in place for the tuition my Department has responded and facilitated by putting arrangements in place with private commercial organisations which provide group tuition to children in a class type setting.

The arrangements facilitate the transfer of home tuition payments to the provider and a reduction of the rates paid in recognition of the fact that the service is less expensive than normal, as the children are tutored together. These arrangements take account of the fact that children are tutored in group settings giving rise to significant cost savings.

In his Report, on the Report of the Accounts of the Public Services, 2014, the Comptroller and Auditor General notes that the Department does not engage in a competitive procurement process for the provision of classroom-based tuition by specialist providers. Instead, the Department each year agrees a fee basis with the specialist providers in respect of tuition delivered to children approved for home tuition.

This is an acknowledgement that parents of children, who are eligible for Home Tuition under the Department's scheme, have the freedom and flexibility to select the specialist provider themselves, subject to the provider's agreement to comply with the general provisions of the scheme and to the cost and payment arrangements set out be the Department.

In all such cases the contract under which the services of the provider are provided to the eligible child exists between the service provider and the parents.

While the Department has considered the possibility of tendering for such services, the Department is conscious that the procurement of such services centrally through a procurement process would remove the option from parents of selecting their preferred provider.

However, the Department is currently exploring the use of procurement frameworks which might allow for agreement of a pricing structure, but with flexibility in relation to volume and drawdown of service and has sought and is awaiting advice from the new Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on this possibility.

Motor Tax Yield

Questions (693)

Sean Conlan

Question:

693. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of revenue generated from road tax collected from 1 January 2015 to date in respect of pre-2008 vehicles, which are still under the old taxation system whereby the calculation of road tax is based on engine size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34178/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Gross motor tax receipts from 1 January to 31 August 2015 were €475,277,603 in respect of private vehicles taxed on the basis of engine capacity.

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (694)

Sean Conlan

Question:

694. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of pre-2008 vehicles that paid road tax from 1 January 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34179/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The number of pre-2008 private vehicles under current taxation for each month from January to August 2015 is set out below. It should be noted that, as vehicles can be taxed quarterly, half-yearly or annually, the numbers will include vehicles that have been taxed more than once during that period.

Month	Number of pre-2008 vehicles under current taxation
January 2015	1,269,184
February 2015	1,257,929
March 2015	1,252,762
April 2015	1,240,885
May 2015	1,233,346
June 2015	1,225,646
July 2015	1,218,832
August 2015	1,207,222

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (695)

Sean Conlan

Question:

695. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of pre-2008 vehicles in Counties Monaghan and Cavan that paid road tax from 1 January 2015 to date; the revenue raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34180/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The number of pre-2008 private vehicles under current taxation for each month from January to August 2015 for Cavan and Monaghan is set out below. It should be noted that, as vehicles can be taxed quarterly, half-yearly or annually, the numbers will include vehicles that have been taxed more than once during that period. Gross receipts for the period for pre-2008 vehicles were €6,989,199 in Cavan and €5,429,957 in Monaghan.

Month	Number of pre-2008 vehicles under current taxation - Cavan	Number of pre-2008 vehicles under current taxation - Monaghan
January 2015	18,729	14,275
February 2015	18,559	14,152
March 2015	18,436	14,091
April 2015	18,178	13,892
May 2015	18,067	13,798
June 2015	17,868	13,671
July 2015	17,662	13,577
August 2015	17,539	13,349

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (696)

Sean Conlan

Question:

696. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of vehicles in Counties Monaghan and Cavan registered from 2008 onwards that paid road tax; the revenue raised as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34181/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The number of post-2008 private vehicles under current taxation for each month from January to August 2015 for Cavan and Monaghan is set out below. It should be noted that, as vehicles can be taxed quarterly, half-yearly or annually, the numbers will include vehicles that have been taxed more than once during that period. Gross receipts for the period for post-2008 vehicles were €2,639,661 in Cavan and €2,420,557 in Monaghan.

Month	Number of post-2008 vehicles under current taxation - Cavan	Number of post-2008 vehicles under current taxation - Monaghan
January 2015	10,698	9,534
February 2015	10,952	9,821
March 2015	11,237	10,072
April 2015	11,437	10,273
May 2015	11,584	10,421
June 2015	11,725	10,612
July 2015	12,060	10,898
August 2015	12,230	11,051

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (697)

Sean Conlan

Question:

697. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of post-2008 vehicles that paid road tax from 1 January 2015 to date; the revenue raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34182/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The number of post-2008 private vehicles under current taxation for each month from January to August 2015 is set out below. It should be noted that, as vehicles can be taxed quarterly, half-yearly or annually, the numbers will include vehicles that have been taxed more than once during that period. Gross receipts from post-2008 private vehicles for the period in question were €175,052,557.

Month	Number of post-2008 vehicles under current taxation
January 2015	683,884
February 2015	700,214
March 2015	721,015
April 2015	737,030
May 2015	750,415
June 2015	758,934
July 2015	782,849
August 2015	793,856

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (698)

Sean Conlan

Question:

698. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of pre-2008 vehicles currently on the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34186/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The number of private vehicles taxed on the basis of engine capacity (vehicles registered prior to 1 July 2008) at 31 August 2015 (the most current data available) was 1,207,222.

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (699)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

699. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the impact the emissions scandal at the Volkswagen company may have on owners of such cars in this State, and their motor tax liability. [34328/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Motor tax for private vehicles registered from 1 July 2008 is charged on the basis of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The current issue at Volkswagen relates not to CO2 emissions, but to nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx), and there is no impact on the rates of motor tax charged on the basis of CO2 emissions.

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (700)

Michael McGrath

Question:

700. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person's legal liability for motor tax commences on the first day after the disc expires; in that regard, his views on the renewal notice which is sent to motorists which states the form can be used prior to the expiry of the current tax disc or during the subsequent month; his views that this is misleading as regards the legal position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34628/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Renewal notices are sent out to registered owners of vehicles in the last month of a motor tax disc. This is to facilitate owners who wish to have a new disc in place for the commencement of the next period of tax. Owners can also tax during the first month of a motor tax disc without incurring a financial penalty. Whether an owner chooses to tax in advance of, or during, the first month of a disc does not change his or her liability for motor tax.

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Questions (701)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

701. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedure for housing the agreed number of refugees; the agreed terms; the tax incentives for landlords with suitable properties; if the names and contact details of the relevant officials to be contacted will be provided; and his views on the matter, with particular information for prospective landlords. [34734/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Deputy will be aware that the Government has established a Task Force on the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, chaired by my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. My Department and local authorities are members of the Task Force and are working with other Government Departments and Agencies to ensure that the Programme is managed and delivered efficiently and effectively.

In the first instance, it will be necessary to ensure that the incoming Refugees, under the Programme, are re-located to Ireland, processed and accommodated upon arrival. The Department of Justice and Equality and the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner will take the lead in the process of relocating persons to Ireland, the refugee assessment process and the establishment of Emergency Relocation and Orientation Centres.

The role of local authorities, in terms of housing, will involve providing social housing for persons granted refugee status and the work of the Task Force in this area will be led by local authorities working with my Department and other key State agencies. Local authorities have a suite of housing delivery options under capital and current housing programmes and these and other potential solutions are being examined in the context of delivering longer-term housing solutions for persons granted refugee status.

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Questions (702)

Michael Lowry

Question:

702. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the case in which a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary does not qualify for rehousing based on regulations laid down to Tipperary County Council by his Department; if he will investigate this case and give consideration to this person, given that this person has three dependent children who hold European citizenship; if the person will be issued with stamp 5 status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34746/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The assessment of applicants for social housing support and the allocation of that support is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. As Minister, I am precluded under housing legislation from exercising any power or control in relation to any case being dealt with by a housing authority and, therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in this case.

The issuance of Stamp 5 status is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. In this regard, I understand that there is no record of an application from the person concerned in respect of permission to reside in this State under Stamp 5 conditions with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). A non-EEA national may apply for such a permission when he or she has, inter alia, completed 96 months of continuous residency in the State on the basis of a Stamp 1, 3 or 4, or a combination of those immigration endorsements. It is, of course, open to the person concerned to make such an application to INIS and further information and guidelines on the application process can be found on the INIS website, www.inis.gov.ie.

In order to qualify for social housing support, applicants who are not Irish or UK citizens must have a legal right to reside in the State. The detailed requirements in this regard are set down in Housing Circular 41/2012 issued by my Department to all housing authorities. Under the Circular, Stamp 5 holders are eligible to be considered for social housing support without reference to previous Stamps.

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Questions (703, 716)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

703. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil an bhfuil airgead curtha ar fáil sa Chlár Bunstruchtúr agus Infheistíochta Caipitil 2016-2021 d’fhorbairt na Cé in Inis Oírr; má tá, cén méid agus cén uair atá sé i gceist tairiscintí a lorg don obair seo ó tharla go bhfuil cead pleanála ann cheana don obair; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [34941/15]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

716. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil an bhfuil airgead curtha ar fáil faoin gClár Bonneagair agus Infheistíochta Caipitil, 2016-2021 d’fhorbairt na cé ar Inis Oírr; má tá, cé mhéid tairiscintí a iarrfar don obair seo, agus cén uair a iarrfar iad, ó tharla go bhfuil cead pleanála ann cheana don obair; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [34382/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 703 agus 716 le chéile.

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil soláthar €8 milliún curtha ar fáil ag an Rialtas faoin gClár Bonneagair agus Infheistíochta Caipitil, 2016-2021 d’fhorbairt na cé ar Inis Oírr, Oileáin Árann.

Tá sé mar chuspóir lárnach ag an Rialtas go leanfaidh pobail bhríomhara, inmharthana ag cur fúthu ar na hoileáin agus is léir go rachaidh an togra tábhachtach seo go mór chun tairbhe pobal Inis Oírr.

Beidh mé ag dul i mbun comhráití le mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, Heather Humphreys T.D., a bhfuil príomhfhreagracht ag a Roinn as forbairt na n-oileán, d’fhonn teacht ar chomhréiteach faoin mbealach is fearr chun an togra a chur i gcrích a luaithe is féidir.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (704)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

704. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units that have been built in Counties Monaghan and Cavan; the amount of funding that has been provided to Counties Monaghan and Cavan in respect of housing in each of the years from 2008 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34043/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department’s local authority housing programme and the Capital Assistance Scheme provide capital funding to local authorities to increase their supply of social housing stock through the construction and acquisition of houses and apartments. Social housing is also delivered through a range of other mechanisms, including returning void units to use, leasing, the Rental Accommodation Scheme and the Housing Assistance Payment.

Information in relation to social housing units constructed and acquired by local authorities is published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls. Information in relation to the delivery of units under local authority housing programmes is available under the heading “LA hsg output commenced (1994+)” and the Capital Assistance Scheme under the heading “Vol & Co-op housing”.

The following is the capital investment provided to the authorities concerned under these initiatives for the years in question. Information relating to 2015 is up to the end of quarter 3.

Local Authority Housing Programme

Year	Cavan	Monaghan
2008	€14,374,871	€13,484,937
2009	€10,699,523	€14,079,244
2010	€3,694,879	€4,539,127
2011	€1,116,877	€3,256,000
2012	€1,360,702	€1,731,686
2013	€1,947,374	€1,159,804
2014	€1,133,043	€790,036
2015	€809,078	€9 16,013

Capital Assistance Scheme

Year	Cavan	Monaghan
2008	€0	€5,671,276
2009	€926,861	€112,482
2010	€1,284,593	€415,175
2011	€14,378	€86,636
2012	€664,288	€1,125,300
2013	€348,563	€1,191,568
2014	€102,150	€1,434,736
2015	€0	€118,311

Leader Programmes Funding

Questions (705)

Tom Fleming

Question:

705. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Leader funding for the rural development programme to the Leader groups, North and East Kerry Development, South Kerry Development and IRD Duhallow will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34077/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Under stage one of the selection process any entity who wished to be considered as a Local Action Group was invited to submit an expression of interest.

For the purposes of the new Programme, there are 28 sub-regional areas with County Kerry being one of these. A single expression of interest was received from Kerry Local and Community Development Committee for the Kerry sub-regional area and as this met the minimum criteria, it has now proceeded to stage two of the process, which is the preparation of a local development strategy.

A minimum of 6 months is being allowed for the preparation of local development strategies. However, I expect that not all areas will require the full 6 months. To date, one finalised draft strategy has been submitted for evaluation. Kerry Local and Community Development Committee have not yet submitted their finalised draft strategy.

I am hopeful that strategies will be approved over the coming months and that LEADER will be operational on the ground from November onwards with all areas operational and processing applications by early 2016.

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Questions (706, 720)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

706. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a new tenant purchase scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34127/15]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

720. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the new local authority tenant purchase scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34531/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 706 and 720 together.

The necessary Regulations, for the new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines, are at an advanced stage and are expected to be finalised and signed by end October.

Fire Service Staff

Questions (707)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

707. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria for the recruitment of firefighters in local authorities; the reason competitions are only open to internal, as opposed to external, candidates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34130/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department works closely with Dublin City Council in relation to the staffing needs of Dublin Fire Brigade. My Department recently approved requests from Dublin City Council to hold both an open and a confined competition to fill fire-fighter vacancies that arise in Dublin Fire Brigade.

It is my understanding that details of the open competition, which will be organised through the Public Appointments Service, will be announced shortly. Prospective candidates should register with Publicjobs.ie to ensure that they are notified when the competition is announced.

Departmental Staff

Questions (708)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

708. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the numbers of supernumerary positions in his Department, and those agencies, organisations or bodies funded by his Department; the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed; the total cost in maintaining supernumerary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34141/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

There are currently no positions which can be regarded as supernumerary within my Department.

My Department also gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in Local Authorities. In the most recent data collected at the end of June 2015, there were 133.06 supernumerary positions in the sector (Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) basis), largely comprising staff seconded to other organisations. My Department does not collect information in relation to the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed or the total cost in maintaining such supernumerary positions; in the case of secondments, the cost involved is generally borne by the receiving organisation.

No information on supernumerary positions is held in my Department in relation to the agencies under its aegis. However, staff numbers in those agencies have been managed under the Employment Control Framework which has seen overall numbers employed in the agencies concerned decline from 951 WTEs in 2008 to 680 WTEs in 2015.

Seniors Alert Scheme

Questions (709)

Michael McGrath

Question:

709. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change the manner in which the seniors alert scheme is delivered, in particular if local community alert groups will still be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34165/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing funding for the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The monitoring costs (generally between €60 - €80 per annum) are not funded under the Scheme and are borne by the beneficiary.

The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups; this is, and will continue to be, a central and essential element of the Scheme.

From September 2015, Pobal have commenced operating the scheme on behalf of my Department. Pobal’s service for the Scheme includes establishing regional panels of suppliers of funded equipment - base units, which can be landline or GSM, and pendants - and have developed an online application process for the provision of approved equipment. These changes will reduce the administrative burden for the many hundreds of community and voluntary groups registered under the Scheme, who provide an excellent service for the elderly. It will enable these groups to focus on the main purpose of the Scheme, namely to support and to engage with the elderly in the local community.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (710)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

710. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to institute a scheme, along the lines of the scheme instituted by the State for small trade unions in Trade Union Act 1975, to encourage and facilitate small approved housing bodies to amalgamate, merge and restructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34250/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are organisations approved by my Department under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 to provide social housing support. Formed for the purpose of relieving housing need and the provision and management of housing, AHBs are not-for-profit bodies and are generally either:

- Limited Companies formed by guarantee of their members and not having a shareholding, registered under the Companies Act;

- Societies registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Acts; or

- Trusts incorporated under the Charities Acts.

AHBs are independent organisations. As such, any decision to amalgamate or merge with another AHB is entirely a matter for the independent Board of an AHB and I have no plans to institute a scheme in relation to this matter.

Approved Housing Bodies have an important role to play in delivery under the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020. This recognises the record of steady achievement by AHBs over the past 20 years in providing over 28,000 units of quality accommodation. A further 2,700 properties are leased and/or managed by AHBs.

My Department is working closely with the representative bodies for the sector, the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) and the National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCO), individual AHBs and others to strengthen their capacity to deliver social housing. To this end, the Strategy includes a number of actions that will help to promote the optimal configuration of what is a very diverse sector if it is to fulfil an enhanced role in social housing supply. These include a commitment to develop a more effective system of funding for AHBs and to establish a statutory-based regulator for the sector.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (711)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

711. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of payments made to Dublin City Council in the period 2010 to date in 2015. [34276/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, including protecting the environment, providing necessary housing supports and fostering community and rural development in partnership with local government and other local development bodies. In order to deliver on this broad business agenda, my Department allocates significant resources to a wide range of organisations, including local authorities, dedicated agencies and non-statutory bodies, as well as to individuals.

In this regard, some €1.06 billion has been transferred through the Vote of my Department to Dublin City Council in the period from 2010 to 2015 and some €307.9m from the Local Government Fund ; in that context, a more detailed breakdown of expenditure is not readily available in my Department and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. If the Deputy wishes to put down a more specific question concerning funding for a specific purpose from my Department, I will endeavour to provide the information sought. In addition, some €308m has been provided to Dublin City Council in the period 2010-2014 in respect of General Purpose Grants. A breakdown of the funds transferred each year from my Department and from the Local Government Fund to Dublin City Council is shown below.

Year	Transferred form Department Vote	Local Government Fund	Total
	€m	€m	€m
2010	299.6	67.5	367.1
2011	204.3	60.6	264.9
2012	189.4	54.6	244.0
2013	176.5	53.3	229.8
2014	143.2	11.9	155.1
2015	52.1	60.0	112.1
Total	1,065.1	307.9	1,373.0

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (712)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

712. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the €17 million for Ballymun regeneration works has not been paid to Dublin City Council. [34277/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The sum referred to is largely in respect of projects which were part of the Ballymun regeneration programme and which are at ‘final account’ stage. My Department has been working with Dublin City Council to resolve outstanding balances on these projects so that all appropriate budgetary amounts claimed in respect of approved projects can be processed as soon as possible.

My Department is currently finalising determinations of final accounts on a number of the larger Ballymun regeneration projects and will meet with Dublin City Council shortly on the matter. A number of further final accounts and other supporting material are awaited from the Council.

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Questions (713)

Michael McGrath

Question:

713. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of voids and vacant local authority dwellings for Cork City Council and for Cork County Council; if he will confirm that sufficient funding has been granted to both authorities to repair these properties so they can be made available to persons on the social housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

General statistics on local authority housing stock, including vacant social housing units, are published annually by the Local Government Management Agency. The most recent statistics are the Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2013 which are available at the following web link: www.

/en/serviceindicators/2004to2013

ie

.

lgma .

All local authorities, including Cork City and County Councils, are being provided with funding support from my Department to assist them in tackling vacant social housing units. This is not a substitute for the normal responsibilities of local authorities for maintaining their social housing properties and, in addition to vacant social housing units that are returned to productive use with the support of my Department, other units are returned through the direct effort of local authorities.

Funding from my Department is supporting Cork City Council to return 290 vacant units to use in 2015, with 154 in the Cork County Council area. I am satisfied that between this funding and the local authorities’ own resources, both have the support to address vacant units in their areas and to make them available to those on the waiting list as soon as possible.

Building Regulations

Questions (714)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

714. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to intervene, as a matter of urgency, to resolve the situation in Longboat Quay in Dublin 2, where 900 residents are threatened with evacuation by Dublin Fire Brigade; if he will ensure that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, as the original owner of the complex, meets its obligations to residents in this development ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34326/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the anxiety and upset caused to the owners and residents of Longboat Quay since issues in relation to fire safety in their development first arose.

The Building Control Act 1990 clearly places responsibility for compliance with the Building Regulations on the owner of the building concerned, on its designer and on the builder/developer who carries out the works.

Enforcement is matter for Local Authorities who have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Building Control Acts and also under the Fire Services Act 1981, the Planning and Development Acts, and the Housing Acts, all of which may be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in residential developments.

Remediation of defects is a matter between the parties concerned, the current owners and the builder/developer, their agents and their insurers. If satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved through dialogue and negotiation the option of seeking civil legal remedy may be considered.

The issues which have emerged in Longboat Quay are a matter for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, the Receiver to the Developer, residents of Longboat Quay and their Management Company, as well as Dublin Fire Brigade, to resolve collaboratively. My Department understands that all parties are actively engaging to find a resolution to the situation that has arisen, and I would urge that all parties remain actively and constructively engaged to that end.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (715)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

715. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if officials from his Department have provided formal or informal direction to local authorities not to submit social housing funding proposals for developments of more than 50 units; or if his officials in any way discourage local authorities from submitting funding proposals for social housing developments of more than 50 units. [34343/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

No direction has issued from my Department to local authorities restricting the development of social housing schemes in excess of 50 units. The provision of social housing services is, in the first instance, a matter for each local authority as the housing authority for its area. Guidelines from my Department to local authorities in respect of the successful design of good quality, sustainable housing projects are set out in the document ‘Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities’, which is available at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,1979,en.pdf.

Question No. 716 answered with Question No. 703.