Written Answers Nos. 221-236
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which derelict, incomplete or abandoned sites in various local authority administrative areas continue to remain a focus for him with particular reference to the urgent need to bring about early improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44643/15]
View answer222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which derelict, incomplete or abandoned sites and developments in the various towns and villages in County Kildare continue to remain a focus for him, with particular reference to the need to encourage every effort to address the issues outstanding and present in all towns and villages in a modern, business-orientated fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44644/15]
View answer223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he continues to address derelict sites or abandoned developments in or adjacent to the various towns and villages which were adversely affected by the economic collapse; if he will encourage the reactivation of such development; if he will examine any administrative procedures which might impede bringing matters to an early satisfactory conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44645/15]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 221 to 223, inclusive, together.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 provides that local authorities are required to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. To this end, local authorities have been given substantial powers under the Act in relation to any such sites, including powers to require specified measures to be taken in relation to a derelict site, to impose a levy on sites which are included in the local authority’s derelict sites register, or to compulsorily acquire any derelict site. It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
Derelict sites throughout the State, particularly in urban areas, continue to remain a focus for my Department, and whereas the administration of the legislation at local level is a matter for the relevant local authority, my Department updates, on an annual basis, a Schedule of Urban Areas designated by local authorities as areas in which the derelict site levy can be applied in line with the provisions of the Act. The latest update of this Schedule (for 2015) is nearing completion.
The recently enacted Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development and use of vacant, underutilised sites in urban areas. When it becomes operational from 2019 onwards, it is envisaged that the levy will be instrumental in bringing vacant, underutilised sites into beneficial use for housing and urban regeneration purposes. To avoid a double levy situation in the case of any individual site, the Act provides that the derelict site levy shall not be payable in respect of any land on which the vacant site levy will be payable.
Town and village renewal is being supported on an on-going basis by the suite of measures introduced by the Government as set out in the reply to the Deputy’s recent Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 5 November 2015 on the matter, and in my more recent reply to the Deputy’s Topical Interest Debate motion on 11 November 2015.
224. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish the energy policy White Paper; if it deals with micro-generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44487/15]
View answerI intend to publish the White Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland on 16 December. The White paper will discuss the role that micro-generation can play in transforming and enhancing the way homes, businesses, communities and citizens use energy.
In addition, on 31 July, 2015 the Department launched a consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity. As part of the emerging design process, the potential of providing support to microgeneration will be considered. While the initial phase of the consultation closed on 18 September 2015, there will be two further opportunities to contribute at key stages in the design of any new scheme.
225. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for reinstatement, following retirement on grounds of ill health, with prior notice granted since 2004; the legislation, rules and procedures under which they were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44554/15]
View answerMy Department has granted no reinstatements since its establishment in June 2007.
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he directly or through the aegis of the local authorities has engaged with the relevant support groups in north Kildare on the provision of a new swimming pool, either via the local authority or in conjunction with Maynooth university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44640/15]
View answerUnder the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools.
The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000. Since 2000, 58 projects have or are being dealt with under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme of which 50 have been completed and the other 8 projects are at various stages of the Programme. I wish to commence the process of opening a new limited round of swimming pool allocations and I have asked my departmental officials to report back to me on this matter.
As the Deputy is aware, I met with Kildare County Council and a number of public representatives, including Deputy Durkan, in mid July. It was agreed that Kildare County Council would write to my Department on the matter but no submission has yet been received.
227. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a section of roadway (details supplied) in County Kerry will be prioritised for funding in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44488/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects (including the N70) is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
228. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the latest fare hikes introduced by Dublin Bus and the justification for the increase which will see a five-day bus pass increase to €35.50, as this will particularly affect persons who rely on public transport; and his plans to address this. [44496/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. She should advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.
229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers who travelled through airports in the past year for which records are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44528/15]
View answerThe total number of passengers that travelled through the three State airports and the four regional airports at Knock, Kerry, Donegal and Waterford in 2014 was 26,564,498.
230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of public service obligation air services he subsidises, the details of each service by destination, annual cost and number of passengers carried; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44529/15]
View answerThere are currently two Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services funded by my Department operating between Donegal and Dublin and Kerry and Dublin.
A new contract for these two services commenced on 1 February 2015 following a competitive tendering process. Both routes are operated by Stobart Air at an average cost per annum of €7.6m. This contract will operate for two years initially and subject to a satisfactory review after 18 months, the contract may be extended for an additional year.
Over the ten-month period since the commencement of the new contract on 1 February up to 30 November last, a total 22,800 passengers were carried on the Donegal/Dublin PSO air service and 41,200 on the Kerry/Dublin PSO air service.
231. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of capital expenditure and of operational expenditure support he paid or allocated to regional airports during the past five years and in 2015 to date, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44530/15]
View answerDetails of Capex and Opex funding support provided by my Department to the regional airports for the years 2011-2014 are given in the following tables. Final figures for 2015 will not be available until after year end. However, I anticipate that, in total, Capex funding for the four regional airports at Knock, Kerry, Donegal and Waterford will amount to approximately €2.15m this year while Opex will amount to €2.27m approximately. As the Deputy will be aware, funding support this year will include Capex and Opex supports for non-economic safety and security related activities under the Public Policy Remit aspects of our new Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019. In addition to these supports, the annual cost of supporting the PSO air services on the Kerry/Dublin and Donegal/Dublin routes is approximately €7.6m. This subvention is paid directly to the air carrier, Stobart Air.
|
CAPEX (Capital Grants) |
2014 - €,000 |
2013 - €,000 |
2012 - €,000 |
2011 - €,000 |
|
Donegal |
432 |
339 |
0 |
2,111 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
222 |
|
Kerry |
133 |
741 |
1,634 |
399 |
|
Knock |
1,925 |
2,013 |
699 |
233 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
238 |
|
Waterford |
533 |
362 |
1,334 |
796 |
|
Total |
3,023 |
3,455 |
3,667 |
3,999 |
|
OPEX (Operational Expenditure Support) |
2014 - €,000 |
2013 - €,000 |
2012 - €,000 |
2011 - €,000 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
111 |
42 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,309 |
|
Kerry |
507 |
437 |
550 |
950 |
|
Knock |
549 |
654 |
590 |
432 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
387 |
|
Waterford |
1,038 |
1,121 |
1,233 |
1272 |
|
Total |
2,094 |
2,212 |
2,484 |
5,392 |
232. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications for re-instatement, following retirement on grounds of ill-health, with prior notice granted since 2004; the legislation, rules and procedures under which they were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44564/15]
View answerThere have been no applications for reinstatement, following retirement on grounds of ill health, granted since 2004 in my Department. Circular 22 of 2007: Ill-Health Retirement from the Civil Service sets out the procedures and legislation under which such retirements may occur.
233. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure a substantial increase in the grant allocation for non-national roads to Cavan County Council in 2016, given the deteriorating condition of many roads there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44632/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Cavan is the statutory responsibility of Cavan County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. Ireland has just under 100,000 kilometres of road in its network and the maintenance and improvement of national, regional and local roads places a substantial financial burden on local authorities and on the Exchequer. Because of the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in Exchequer funding available for roads over the past number of years. Funding in 2008 was €2.3 billion while funding this year is around €760 million for the national, regional and local road network. The reality is that funding will continue to be tight for the next number of years.
Local authorities are aware that it is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and to allocate funding accordingly. Given funding constraints, my objective has to be to allocate funding to local authorities on as equitable basis as possible. The main grant categories are, therefore, based on road lengths in each local authority's area of responsibility.
The RLR allocations for next year have yet to be decided but I expect to announce the details early next year. It is important to reiterate that State grants are intended to supplement local authorities' own resources. In this context, I am emphasising to Councils that the commitment of local authorities to contribute significantly from their own resources, towards the cost of improving and maintaining the regional and local roads network is essential.
234. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí faoin tacaíocht atá á cur ar fáil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta do chomhlacht i nDún na nGall (sonraí tugtha) agus gníomhaíochtaí an chomhlachta curtha ar fionraí go sealadach le déanaí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44502/15]
View answerTuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil réimse tacaíochtaí - deontais caipitil agus margaíochta den chuid is mó - curtha ar fáil acu don chomhlacht atá luaite ag an Teachta ó bunaíodh an comhlacht in 2008. Tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil deontas de €219,742 íoctha acu leis an gcomhlacht, go bhfuil foirgneamh ar léas ag an gcomhlacht ón Údarás agus go bhfuil naonúr fostaithe ar an meán ag an gcomhlacht thar na tréimhse seacht mbliana sin. Tuigim ón Údarás fosta go ndearna an comhlacht cinneadh le gairid deireadh a chur le trádáil go sealadach de bharr treoir atá faighte aige ó OPITO (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization), an eagraíocht a dhéanann teastasú ar roinnt de chúrsaí oiliúna an chomhlachta. De réir mar a thuigim ón Údarás, thug OPITO treoir don chomhlacht ag deireadh mí na Samhna deireadh a chur láithreach leis na cúrsaí creidiúnaithe OPITO atá á dtairiscint agus á reáchtáil ag an gcomhlacht.
Tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil gach iarracht á déanamh ag an gcomhlacht féin teacht ar réiteach ar an gceist seo. Tá teagmháil rialta idir an tÚdarás agus an comhlacht ar an ábhar. Déanfaidh an tÚdarás gach gur féidir leis, taobh istigh de na scéimeanna tacaíochta atá ar fáil dó, le tacú leis an gcomhlacht chun réiteach a fháil ar na deacrachtaí seo.
235. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the review of section 40 of the Wildlife Act, as regards the extension of the season for controlled burning of mountain gorse and for hedge cutting; if she will finalise the necessary legislation in this Government's term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44525/15]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity. In that regard, a review of the current legislative provisions was initiated to ensure that they remain both effective and balanced.
The submissions received, during a public consultation process on the matter, have been published on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at http://www.npws.ie/legislation. Following the end of the public consultation period, I established a Working Group, consisting of officials from my Department, to consider the submissions received and to report back to me with a range of proposals. I expect to announce the outcome of the review in the near future.
Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, as provided for in section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012, would require amending legislation.
236. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for re-instatement, following retirement on grounds of ill-health, with prior notice granted since 2004; the legislation, rules and procedures under which they were granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44552/15]
View answerMy Department was established on 2 June 2011. I am advised that, since that date, there have been no applications for reinstatement following retirement on ill health grounds.
