Tuesday, 26 Jan 2016

Written Answers Nos. 454-470

School Accommodation Provision

Questions (454)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

454. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Dublin will move into its promised building, given that in 2005 it was promised a premises formerly known as Archbishop McQuaid school but which another school moved into at the end of 2005; if she is aware that in 2010 this school was at the advanced stage of her Department's building programme and yet in 2015 is only at advanced stage 2B; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3222/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department remains committed to providing permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil Phadraig. It is my Department's intention that the gaelscoil will relocate to the premises currently occupied by Ballyowen Meadows school following the construction of its new school. All statutory applications have been granted for the new school and the design team are in the process of completing stage 2(b) tender documentation. Once this documentation is submitted, my Department will carry out its review and subject to no issues arising, the project will then progress to tender and construction.

Teacher Redeployment

Questions (455)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

455. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the teacher exchange programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3231/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The teacher exchange scheme is designed to facilitate primary teachers to temporarily exchange their posts for education purposes. Under the present scheme the minimum period for which an exchange may occur is one year and the maximum is five years. The person referred to by the Deputy has been awarded the maximum period allowable under the existing scheme. The Teacher Conciliation Council is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the Terms and Conditions of employment of teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.

As the existing Teacher Exchange Scheme is currently on the agenda of the Teachers' Conciliation Council I propose to await the outcome of those discussions before commenting further.

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Questions (456)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

456. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Kerry under the summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3233/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the Summer Works Scheme, applications including that from the school referred to by the Deputy will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0055/2015), is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants at the end of February/early March 2016.

Teaching Contracts

Questions (457)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

457. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a contract of indefinite duration for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3239/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials from my Department recently wrote to the school where the person referred to by the Deputy is employed to advise that the teacher is entitled to a contract of indefinite duration with effect from 1 September 2015.

Teaching Qualifications

Questions (458)

Michael Creed

Question:

458. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of a difficulty facing holders of degrees and diplomas who are qualified to teach in Montessori schools in having their teaching qualifications recognised by the Teaching Council; that some of these teachers are employed in special education and resource teaching in conventional schools; if it is appropriate that persons should be given a period of time to achieve appropriate qualifications where an issue arises with registration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3276/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Since 2006, under the Teaching Council Act 2001 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility and authority for regulation of the teaching profession including the registration of teachers. Teachers are registered under the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009. The Teaching Council recognises undergraduate Montessori qualifications (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) which meet the requirements of Regulation 3 (Montessori and other categories) of the 2009 Regulations. The Teaching Council is currently reviewing the 2009 regulations and is endeavouring to ensure that teachers who are registered or currently pursuing a programme whose graduates registered under Regulation 3 will not be disadvantaged by any revision. With reference to the generality of the question posed, all applicants for teaching posts in recognised schools must be registered with the Teaching Council. Where a teacher has been registered with conditions, the Teaching Council grants a three year period in which to fulfil the condition(s) applied. A teacher may seek an extension to the period for fulfilling the conditions on a wide variety of grounds including where a teacher demonstrates that he/she is actively seeking to complete an appropriate qualification. It is essential that teachers requiring an extension to their conditional registration period engage with the Council.

School Transport Provision

Questions (459)

Seán Fleming

Question:

459. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills to review the school transport arrangements for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3277/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes and endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service. Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is accommodated on a service with one other child and an escort on board and is considered to have a reasonable level of service in the context of the scheme nationally.

Water Quality

Questions (460)

Dara Calleary

Question:

460. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the water quality of a river in Counties Mayo and Sligo and the monitoring and inspection plan of the Environmental Protection Agency for this river. [2983/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Moy estuary is monitored as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) national Water Framework Directive monitoring programme. Under this programme the EPA assesses general physico-chemical parameters (nutrients, oxygen, temperature, salinity) and biological quality elements (phytoplankton, macroalgae and angiosperms). In addition, Inland Fisheries Ireland assesses fish in the estuary and the Marine Institute assesses benthic invertebrate communities in the adjacent Killala Bay coastal water.  The current status of the estuary is moderate (slightly polluted) due to elevated levels of opportunistic macroalgae (seaweeds) with other elements in the ecology being satisfactory. Killala Bay is currently classified as being at good status. There are two designated bathing waters in this area: Ross Beach which is currently classed as being at excellent status and Enniscrone Beach which is at good status.

The EPA and local authorities are currently assisting my Department with the preparation of the second cycle of River Basin Management Plans which are due to be completed by the end of 2017. As part of this work, outstanding issues regarding water quality in the Moy and its estuary will be taken into account in drafting measures to both protect and improve water quality. 

Water Conservation Grant Data

Questions (461)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

461. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the full year cost of the water conservation grant in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3061/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Water Conservation Grant is a key element of the Government's drive to promote conservation and more sustainable use of water services in the home. On the basis of the administration of the 2015 grant scheme, a figure of €110 million has been provided for the 2016 grant scheme in the 2016 Revised Estimates for Public Services.

Animal Welfare

Questions (462)

Clare Daly

Question:

462. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that a raid on a property (details supplied) found 200 dogs, of which the local authority subsequently destroyed 120; if this is an appropriate response under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act; if a more enlightened response to reports of cruelty is needed, particularly from the point of view that those reporting animal cruelty may be prevented from doing so if they believe the animals will be killed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/16]

Written answers

Minister of State for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I am aware of the matter referred to in the Question. It is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the specific details of the case.

In general, however, and in accordance with the Control of Dogs Act 1986, the provision of dog shelters, measures to control dogs and the humane putting to sleep of dogs is the responsibility of the local authority. When discharging these responsibilities the local authority considers what is in the best interests of the dog and its ongoing welfare. Unfortunately, in some instances, local authorities are left with no option but to put dogs to sleep on humane grounds and to alleviate any further suffering by the animals. 

Furthermore, I would like to stress the importance of members of the public continuing to report suspected cases of cruelty to dogs, and indeed of suspected cruelty to any animal, to the appropriate authorities, notwithstanding that in some cases such animals may, unfortunately, have to be put to sleep.

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Questions (463, 468)

Michael Lowry

Question:

463. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will provide information to Tipperary County Council regarding the new incremental tenant purchase scheme which was to come into effect on 1 January 2016 for existing local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3386/16]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

468. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities will provide prospective applicants with details of the terms of the new tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2922/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Paudie Coffey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 468 together.

The new incremental tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016 in accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015.

In November 2015 local authorities were circulated with details of the regulations accompanied by associated explanatory notes and detailed guidance on the new Scheme. An information seminar on the Scheme was also held for local authority staff in November.

A sample tenant application form has issued to local authorities and an information leaflet for tenants is currently being finalised and will be made available to local authorities in the coming days. Local authorities have been requested to write to all tenants of houses that are available for sale under the new Scheme, notifying them of its commencement.

Local Authority Staff Recruitment

Questions (464)

Dara Calleary

Question:

464. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has notified local authorities that the Government-imposed recruitment ban on appointing staff has been lifted; how many additional staff each local authority may appoint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2699/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

As announced in Budget 2015, the moratorium on recruitment has been lifted throughout the Local Authority sector. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. Overall staffing levels are agreed through a workforce planning process with each individual local authority. This process is ongoing.

Pyrite Issues

Questions (465)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

465. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his engagement with Dublin City Council on pyrite issues in the Dublin Central area; if work will be to the highest standard; and if there is sufficient and meaningful engagement with the residents concerned. [2771/16]

Written answers

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

My Department is committed to working closely with local authorities in addressing issues around pyrite-related structural defects in social housing units. Where necessary, my Department has provided, and will continue to provide, financial assistance to local authorities in cases where pyrite remediation proposals are included in the work programmes put forward by local authorities for funding under the Social Housing Investment Programme. Arrangements for the pyrite remediation works, including engagement with the residents concerned, are matters for the relevant local authority.

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Questions (466)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

466. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make a decision on the application for funding by Dublin City Council for the roll-out of phase two of the fabric upgrade insulation programme for its housing stock, including those houses which are of solid wall construction most of which are older stock; if he will introduce a pilot scheme for Ballyfermot, Crumlin and Drimnagh first; and if sufficient funding is not available to roll out a retrofitting insulation programme to tackle heat loss in all such inefficient Dublin City Council houses, which contributes to fuel poverty. [2811/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I will announce 2016 funding allocations to local authorities shortly in respect of the continuing programme of insulation retrofitting for social housing. Funding of some €82 million has been provided from 2013 to 2015 to support the authorities in improving the energy performance of older local authority housing stock, resulting in improved energy efficiency and comfort levels, and therefore Building Energy Ratings, in over 45,000 local authority homes.

Phase 1 of the programme commenced in June 2013 and is focused on providing attic/roof insulation and cavity wall insulation in all relevant properties. Some local authorities have now commenced implementing Phase 2 which will focus on fabric upgrade works to those remaining dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction.

As local authorities, including Dublin City Council, progress from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the programme, it will be a matter for them to identify the priority houses within their stock to tackle first in the roll out of the programme.

Local Authority Housing Provision

Questions (467)

Barry Cowen

Question:

467. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding he has provided to local authorities to assist in the routine turnaround of vacant social housing properties when they are being transferred between tenancies, by local authority, in each of the years 2013 to 2015, inclusive; and the average length of time it takes for a local authority to turnaround a local authority home that has been vacated before it can be inhabited by a new tenant. [2881/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department does not provide funding to local authorities in respect of the routine turnaround of social housing stock; this would be a matter for each local authority as part of their normal responsibilities for maintaining their social housing properties. In 2014 my Department introduced a new, target-driven programme to support local authorities to return vacant properties to productive use where the costs exceed the cost of the normal end of lease maintenance and where energy efficiency upgrades to the property can be implemented. Funding is conditional on a commitment that the accommodation will be occupied immediately following the works, with priority given to homeless families to the fullest extent possible.

Over 5,000 social housing units have been returned to productive use through the support of this programme in 2014 and 2015; details are set out in the following table.

The average length of time taken by local authorities to return vacant social housing units to use is recorded as part of reports on Service Indicators in Local Authorities prepared by the Local Government Management Agency, which can be accessed at the following link: wwlgmai/en/serviceindicators/2004to2013.

-	Local Authority	Number of Units returned 2014	Funding 2014	Number of Units returned 2015	Funding 2015
1	Carlow	42	€325,111	28	€300,650
2	Cavan	23	€349,137	28	€307,018
3	Clare	65	€995,829	96	€1,472,533
4	Cork City	212	€2,872,027	281	€4,522,819
5	Cork County	155	€1,539,364	199	€2,091,578
6	Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown	5	€89,896	24	€262,768
7	Donegal	167	€919,797	146	€1,003,576
8	Dublin City	467	€6,163,464	787	€10,858,088
9	Fingal	165	€1,938,780	139	€1,624,632
10	Galway City	24	€474,050	25	€222,025
11	Galway County	76	€958,263	59	€705,347
12	Kerry	79	€718,938	103	€884,736
13	Kildare	49	€503,463	20	€359,808
14	Kilkenny	25	€484,430	23	€381,639
15	Laois	43	€257,013	12	€61,228
16	Leitrim	15	€229,072	9	€177,474
17	Limerick	98	€915,969	52	€500,689
18	Longford	16	€313,250	22	€426,535
19	Louth	18	€113,620	21	€292,279
20	Mayo	80	€464,508	86	€879,400
21	Meath	59	€1,037,501	54	€855,565
22	Monaghan	21	€92,751	13	€100,502
23	Offaly	35	€514,000	55	€551,532
24	Roscommon	34	€224,028	36	€258,773
25	Sligo	29	€311,648	39	€439,924
26	South Dublin	92	€627,408	27	€216,838
27	Tipperary	86	€935,801	115	€1,299,180
28	Waterford	42	€605,428	56	€488,724
29	Westmeath	56	€396,518	74	€650,813
30	Wexford	20	€316,307	24	€294,811
31	Wicklow	35	€650,204	43	€857,499
	TOTAL	2333	€26,337,575	2696	€33,348,183

Question No. 468 answered with Question No. 463.

Septic Tank Grants

Questions (469)

Seán Kyne

Question:

469. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a grant scheme for old septic tanks damaged by floods in the recent bad weather or if he will provide an additional scheme for those registered under the Water Services (Amendment) Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2934/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Inspection Plan, to require repair or upgrading. It is not proposed to make any changes to the grant scheme introduced under the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013 at this time.

While septic tanks may have been impacted by flooding, many systems will be resilient and will be usable once flood waters have receded. The Environmental Protection Agency advises that septic tank systems should not be used until flooding subsides below the level of the tank; this is more to prevent water backing up into a property than any other reason. The EPA has published advice for septic tank owners on its website at http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/guidance/faq/#.VqJRWLHFKM.

If householders are experiencing difficulties with their septic tank following recent flooding they may be eligible for support from the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection. This scheme is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair. In order to ensure that the funding available is appropriately targeted, levels of payment under the scheme depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household’s ability to meet these costs.

Further details on the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme and the income test for single persons and families is available on the Department of Social Protection’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Humanitarian-Assistance-Scheme.aspx.

More generally, householders who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the grant under the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013 who wish to remediate or upgrade their on-site treatment systems may qualify for relief under the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme introduced under Section 5 of the Finance (No. 2.) Act 2013. The HRI scheme covers main residence repairs, renovations and improvements, including the repair or replacement of septic tanks. The scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and full details are published on the Revenue Commissioner’s website (www.revenue.ie).

Septic Tank Grants

Questions (470)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

470. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a person receives a grant for work on a household septic tank, if there is a timeframe in which the work has to be carried out; if the work is inspected afterwards to establish that it was carried out and that it is up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2955/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Inspection Plan, to require repair or upgrading.

The Regulations provide that, subject to the applicant meeting all qualification criteria, a local authority may pay a grant to a person who is required, following an inspection, to have repairs or upgrades to, or replacement of, a septic tank or other domestic waste water treatment system. Full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, are clearly set out in the explanatory leaflet and application form published on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad,33607,en.pdf.

Householders who do not meet the eligibility criteria included in the above regulations but wish to remediate or upgrade their on-site treatment systems may qualify for relief under the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme introduced under Section 5 of the Finance (No. 2.) Act 2013. The HRI scheme covers main residence repairs, renovations and improvements, including the repair or replacement of septic tanks. The scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and full details are published on the Revenue Commissioner’s website (www.revenue.ie).

Section 70 H of the Water Services Act 2007, as inserted under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012, provides for the issue by a water services authority of an Advisory Notice, subsequent to an inspection, which specifies the date by which the necessary remediation work is to be carried out. The timeframe for remediation work is set by the water services authority on a case-by-case basis and will depend on factors such as the nature of the failing revealed by the inspection and the element of risk to human health or the environment. The Act also provides that the water services authority will carry out such further inspections of the treatment system in question as it considers appropriate to ensure that the matters specified in the Advisory Notice have been remedied.