Thursday, 17 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 609-621

Priory Hall Development

Questions (609)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

609. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of a developer (details supplied) in the resolution of issues affecting Priory Hall, Dublin 13; if the developer is in receipt of payments from the State relating to this work, either directly or indirectly; if so, the amount involved; if he is aware of failures by the said developer to fulfil commitments in that developer's own developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45856/15]

Written answers

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

In so far as my Department is concerned, the contracting authority for any work of this nature would typically be a local authority, in this case Dublin City Council (DCC). The specific information sought is, therefore, not available within my Department.

Departmental Funding

Questions (610)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

610. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding to develop and market the walking route between Brandon Point and Brandon Creek in County Kerry, given the outstanding scenic nature of this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45862/15]

Written answers

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

There are 39 trails covered by the Walks Scheme, and payments of the order of €1.8m have been made to approximately 1900 landholders in 2015 for the maintenance of trails that traverse their lands. In addition, there are now close to 800 trails listed on the Irish Trails website at www.irishtrails.ie, which are fully open to the public and being maintained to the appropriate national standards.

The route referred to by the Deputy between Brandon Point and Brandon Creek in County Kerry, is no doubt a beautiful and scenic area. I must advise the Deputy, however, that funding is not available from my Department at this time for the development and marketing works associated with that project.

Departmental Funding

Questions (611)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

611. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding to link the Kerry Way and Daingean Uí Chúis Way walking routes via mid-Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45906/15]

Written answers

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

There are 39 trails covered by the Walks Scheme, and payments of the order of €1.8m have been made to approximately 1900 landholders in 2015 for the maintenance of trails that traverse their lands. In addition, there are now close to 800 trails listed on the Irish Trails website at www.irishtrails.ie, which are fully open to the public and being maintained to the appropriate national standards.

In relation to the request that funding be provided to link the Kerry Way and Dingle Way, which are 40 kilometres apart in distance, I must advise the Deputy that funding is not available from my Department at this time for this project.

Departmental Funding

Questions (612)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

612. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding to carry out maintenance and basic repair work on sections of the Daingean Uí Chúis Way between Tralee and Camp, as many parts are in very poor condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45907/15]

Written answers

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

My Department recently invited expressions of interest from a variety of organisations, agencies and groups who would wish to seek funding for the development, enhancement and maintenance of recreational Infrastructure projects should funding become available to the Department. A number of expressions of interest were received for proposed works along the Dingle Way.

This initiative has generated a considerable amount of interest and my Department is currently carrying out a detailed assessment of each expression of interest received with a view to funding some of these projects in 2016.

Motor Tax Collection

Questions (613)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

613. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on moving away from the paper motor tax disc system towards an electronic system such as that in place in the United Kingdom; if such a system could reduce evasion and reduce Garda Síochána time requirements for motor tax-related work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45930/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Enforcement of motor tax and the instruments used to facilitate enforcement measures, including the application of number plate recognition technology to pursue the non-payment of tax, are matters for An Garda Síochána. Any changes to the requirement for display of motor tax discs on vehicle windscreens would need to be considered in the context of any potential application of number plate technology by An Garda Síochána generally, in order to ensure that adequate enforcement levels are maintained.

Mortgage to Rent Scheme Data

Questions (614)

Michael McGrath

Question:

614. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who have been approved for the mortgage to rent scheme since the criteria were changed in May 2015. [45957/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The package of commitments on mortgage arrears announced by Government in May 2015 included a number of amendments to the Approved Housing Body Mortgage to Rent Scheme which will enable more properties to qualify for the Scheme, and make it more flexible and accessible to borrowers. The principal amendment to the scheme is to increase the valuation thresholds applicable which should enable more properties to qualify. These amendments took effect from 1 July 2015.

Since the introduction of these new measures, 119 cases have become eligible for consideration under the scheme. In addition, to the end of November 2015, 36 cases were completed. A breakdown of these cases by local authority is provided in the table. In total, at the end of November, 628 cases were actively being progressed with 132 cases approved.

Cases complete and under active consideration since 1 July 2015

County	Eligible for Consideration (Active)	Completed
Carlow County Council	6	1
Cavan County Council	4	1
Clare County Council	0	1
Cork City Council	3	0
Cork County Council	7	0
Donegal County Council	3	0
Dublin City Council	0	5
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council	3	0
Fingal County Council	8	2
Galway City Council	0	0
Galway County Council	4	0
Kerry County Council	1	1
Kildare County Council	12	1
Kilkenny County Council	0	2
Laois County Council	6	0
Leitrim County Council	1	0
Limerick City and County Council	1	0
Longford County Council	0	1
Louth County Council	9	2
Mayo County Council	1	0
Meath County Council	12	5
Monaghan County Council	0	0
Offaly County Council	2	2
Roscommon County Council	0	0
Sligo County Council	0	0
South Dublin County Council	2	1
Tipperary County Council	1	2
Waterford County Council	22	9
Westmeath County Council	1	0
Wexford County Council	8	0
Wicklow County Council	2	0
	119	36

Credit Ratings

Questions (615)

Michael McGrath

Question:

615. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water has been given a credit rating by international credit ratings agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45959/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Irish Water does not currently have a credit rating from international credit agencies. The Company’s Business Plan for 2015 to 2021 sets out its strategy to secure a rating by 2019, based on establishing a strong record in relation to its financials, funding and capital investment by that time.

Irish Water Expenditure

Questions (616, 617)

Michael McGrath

Question:

616. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current level of borrowing undertaken by Irish Water; its approximate cost of funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45960/15]

Michael McGrath

Question:

617. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the approximate level of borrowing Irish Water will have to undertake over the next ten years to fulfil its capital investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45961/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 617 together.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to seek the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) to borrow money. Following the commencement of Section 35 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, the Minister for Finance can no longer guarantee any debts of Irish Water and there is no guaranteed debt in issue.

Ministerial consent has been granted to Irish Water to enter into revolving credit facilities in the amount of €810 million with various commercial banks. Irish Water has informed me that the weighted average margin on these facilities is in the order of 1.5%.

Ministerial consent has also been granted to enter into loan facilities of €450m with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund on terms broadly similar to its commercial borrowing.

Section 35(1)(b) of the Water Services (No 2) Act 2013 limits Irish Water’s borrowing to €2bn. Irish Water’s current forecast of total borrowing at end 2016 of €1.7bn is within this limit.

Irish Water’s capital investment in the period 2014 to 2021 will be funded by a mix of debt and equity (including capital transfers from Government) with the investment programme for the period after end 2016 being subject to future review by the Commission for Energy Regulation, with Government funding subject to future budgetary decisions. Irish Water’s detailed business plan for the period 2015 to 2021 is available at www.water.ie.

Private Residential Tenancies Board Staff

Questions (618)

Michael McGrath

Question:

618. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the fees and expenses paid to each member of the Private Residential Tenancies Board's dispute resolution committee for the period 2012 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45963/15]

Written answers

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

The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) is an independent statutory body established on 1 September 2004 under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The Act regulates the landlord/tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector and the PRTB is charged with the administration of the Act including, inter alia, the resolution of disputes.

Details of the PRTB’s income and expenditure are published in the Annual Reports and Accounts which are available on the PRTB website at: http://www.prtb.ie/about-prtb/who-we-are/annual-reports. Details of the payments made to PRTB Dispute Resolution Committee members are contained in the annual reports. The most recent report is in respect of 2014; details of the fees and expenses paid to members in 2015 will be included in the 2015 Annual Report in due course.

Private Residential Tenancies Board Staff

Questions (619)

Michael McGrath

Question:

619. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current number of vacancies on the Private Residential Tenancies Board's dispute resolution committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45964/15]

Written answers

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

The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The primary functions of the Board are to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector.

Section 159 of the Act provides for a Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) of up to 40 members including the Chairperson. Members of the committee are appointed by the Board after consultation with the Minister. The PRTB held a competitive process for new appointments to the DRC in 2014 and there are currently 40 members on the committee. There are no vacancies.

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015, which was enacted on 4 December 2015, provides that, inter alia, members of the Board may no longer sit on the DRC. A panel remains in place from which committee members may be drawn if required.

Irish Water Expenditure

Questions (620)

Michael McGrath

Question:

620. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual interest costs Irish Water will incur on loans taken out to cover the cost of water meter installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45977/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to seek the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) to borrow money. Following the commencement of Section 35 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, the Minister for Finance can no longer guarantee any debts of Irish Water and there is no guaranteed debt in issue.

Ministerial consent has been granted to Irish Water to enter into revolving credit facilities with various commercial banks. Irish Water has informed me that the weighted average margin on these facilities is in the order of 1.5%.

Ministerial consent has also been granted to enter into for loan facilities of €450m with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund on terms broadly similar to its commercial borrowing.

Irish Water have confirmed to me that the all inclusive annual interest cost on loan facilities taken out to cover the cost of water meter installation is currently less than 2%.

Local Authority Rates

Questions (621)

Denis Naughten

Question:

621. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct local authorities to design a rate scheme to support businesses damaged in the recent severe flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45997/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority and I as the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government have no direct function or involvement in the matter.

The Local Government (Rates) Act 1970 provides for the operation of rates waiver schemes. Under the provisions, a rating authority may make and carry out a scheme providing for a waiver of all or a portion of commercial rates due by ratepayers in respect of a specified class or classes of property. The formulation of such a scheme is a matter reserved for the elected members of the relevant local authority and is subject to my consent as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The Government decided on 8 December 2015 to allocate €5m to provide emergency humanitarian support to small businesses that have been unable to secure flood insurance and have been flooded arising from the impact of Storm Desmond. The scheme is being overseen by the Department of Defence and is being administered by the Irish Red Cross. Details in relation to the scheme are available on the Red Cross website.