Written Answers Nos. 364 - 379
364. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the obligations on management companies or management agents to make provision for brown bin collection services within estates, be they traditional housing estates or multi-unit dwellings, where the estates are not taken in charge but are privately run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22569/16]
View answerWaste collection in Ireland is subject to compliance with applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, primarily the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended) and conditions attached to each waste collector’s collection permit issued under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 (as amended). Where a permit holder collects household kerb side waste, the permit holder shall provide a separate receptacle for each waste fraction namely, residual, recyclables and, where appropriate, food and bio-waste.
Under the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of, a separate collection service for food waste from households in designated “brown bin” areas.
In accordance with the Regulatory Impact Assessment prepared for these Regulations, the roll-out of the brown bin has been phased in on a progressive basis, commencing on 1 July 2013. The timetable for when the regulations take effect is as follows:
- 1 July 2013 for population centres greater than 25,000 persons;
- 31 December 2013 for population centres greater than 20,000 persons;
- 1 July 2014 for population centres greater than 10,000 persons;
- 1 July 2015 for population centres greater than 1,500 persons, and
- 1 July 2016 for population centres greater than 500 persons.
Issues concerning the enforcement of the Regulations are a matter for the local authorities, who have significant powers under the Regulations to secure compliance by waste collectors.
365. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to implement measures whereby planning applications for large housing developments will go directly to An Bord Pleanála rather than to the local authority in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22573/16]
View answerIn the course of preparing the Government’s “Action Plan for Housing”, many housing providers emphasised that the length of time taken to obtain planning permission on residentially zoned sites could be an issue to consider and address in the context of accelerating the delivery of housing.
In general, almost all larger housing applications tend to be appealed to An Bord Pleanála, meaning that in practical terms, planning for these crucial forms of development at the present time is a two-stage process as, whatever the local authority decision may be, it will most likely be appealed, which means that it can be up to 18-24 months between obtaining a site and securing final permission to start construction.
In light of the urgency of the housing situation at the current time and the need to streamline systems and procedures where possible without compromising proper planning or oversight, I have come to the view that, for a defined period of time and for large-scale developments, there should be a mechanism to fast-track residential applications by enabling housing providers to make applications directly to An Bord Pleanála.
I am conscious of the fact that the fast-tracked process must fully harness the local knowledge and problem-solving expertise of local authorities, which is why I intend that the legislation will also provide for mandatory pre-application consultation with the local authority concerned and public participation generally.
Further details of my proposals will be included in the Government’s “Action Plan on Housing”, and I will be finalising legislative proposals in this regard after publication of the Plan, at which time there will be the opportunity for full scrutiny of this important measure.
366. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the statistics in respect of abandoned cars in the four Dublin local authorities for 2015 and in 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22594/16]
View answerMy Department’s primary responsibility is to ensure the correct environmental treatment of all end-of-life vehicles, abandoned or otherwise, as required under the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive. Enforcement measures relating to the European Union (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations 2014 are the responsibility of both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local authorities.
My Department does not retain statistics relating to the number of abandoned vehicles.
367. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proceedings under way against the Republic of Ireland by the European Commission’s Environmental Directorate, including pre-infringement proceedings under PILOT; the stage they are at; and the steps being taken by the Government to address these issues. [22603/16]
View answer368. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedures in place to ensure that the public is aware of proceedings and investigations, including PILOT investigations, being undertaken against Ireland for environmental failings at any time. [22604/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.
In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of four infringement cases relating to transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation. The following table lists the directives involved and indicates the stage of proceedings in respect of these cases.
|
Reference |
Relevant Directive |
Stage |
|
C-215/2006 |
Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment in relation to both sites of community importance (SCIs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). |
Article 260 Letter of Formal Notice |
|
2007/2238 |
Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. |
Article 258 Reasoned Opinion |
|
2012/4028 |
Directive 2003/35/EC providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment. Directive 2008/1/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control. Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control). Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. |
Article 258 Letter of Formal Notice |
|
2013/2056 |
Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste-water treatment. |
Article 258 Letter of Formal Notice |
In addition to these cases, there are nine pilot cases which are all at pre-infringement stage and raise issues relating to environmental impact assessment, access to environmental information, marine environment policy and national emissions. My Department is in on-going correspondence with the EU Commission to address outstanding issues in these cases as soon as possible.
My Department continues to put in place the necessary measures to improve the transposition, implementation and enforcement of environmental law in Ireland. A dedicated Environmental Compliance Unit within my Department is responsible for engaging with the EU Commission on these issues and works closely with other Departments and Agencies, as required, in response to each case.
My Department arranges regular meetings in Dublin with the Commission’s DG Environment, most recently in November 2015, to discuss infringements and general issues regarding the implementation of EU environmental law. These meetings provide a constructive format for relevant officials from all relevant Departments to discuss and agree a road-map for closure of pilot and infringement cases.
Furthermore, in a recent meeting that I had with the EU Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, on 8th July, I reassured him of my commitment to resolving these outstanding issues and ensuring that Ireland is fully compliant with EU environmental law.
As well as working closely with EU Commission officials, my Department also engages directly with environmental NGOs on these matters through the Environmental Law Implementation Group (ELIG). ELIG was formally established in 2012 as a platform for greater consultation and communication between my Department, other Departments and Agencies, and eNGOs regarding the effective implementation of environmental law in Ireland. The Group facilitates public participation in decision-making and provision of access to justice for the public in respect of environmental issues, and also provides an opportunity to alert my Department of any potential or actual damage to the environment at the earliest possible time with issues being resolved before any further escalation.
As a result of my Department’s continued commitment and engagement on these matters, there has been a considerable reduction in open environmental infringement cases against Ireland over a number of years from 31 environmental infringement cases back in 2010 to currently only 7 open cases, 3 of which are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Further information on proceedings and investigations are available to the public on request through contact details provided on my Department’s website. However, as open cases are considered formal legal proceedings, the disclosure of information is restricted to a degree until a case is closed or the Court has delivered a judgement.
369. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that was realised in efficiency savings since the creation of Irish Water for 2015 and 2016. [22626/16]
View answerSince 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water is a regulated utility and its operating and capital plans are reviewed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in accordance with Section 39 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.
The CER has approved an “allowed revenue” for the current regulatory period, i.e. Quarter 4 2014 to end 2016. The CER imposed an annual efficiency challenge of 7% on Irish Water’s costs as submitted for this period. Details of Irish Water’s costs to 2016 are outlined in their revenue and water charges plan which was reviewed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Details of the review and the CER’s decision are available at www.cer.ie.
Irish Water has published a business plan for the period 2015 to 2021. The plan, available at www.water.ie, sets out €1.1 billion in operational efficiencies to be achieved over the period and €500m efficiencies in the delivery of the capital programme. This plan will be subject to regulatory review by the CER.
In relation to any further information on cumulative savings, Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
370. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the projects in Ballymun that received funding from the regeneration programme; and his plans to bridge any gap in funding that may occur from the completion of the programme in 2017. [22646/16]
View answerMy Department has provided funding to Dublin City Council for a number of years to support certain social and community measures in the Ballymun area as part of the Regeneration Programme there. This is in addition to projects supported through other programmes funded by my Department, such as the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP), and the programmes of other Departments and State bodies.
My Department will work with Dublin City Council on a transition over the coming years from funding provided under the Regeneration programme.
The projects supported through the Regeneration Programme in 2016 are set out as follows:
|
Aisling |
|
Axis Centre Ballymun |
|
Ballymun Alcohol Community Outreach Ltd |
|
Ballymun Community Law Centre |
|
BRYTE |
|
Ballymun Regional Youth Resource |
|
DCU in the Community |
|
De Paul Ireland |
|
Global Action Plan |
|
Rediscovery Centre Ballymun |
|
St Margaret’s Traveller’s Association |
|
Sports Across Ireland |
|
DIT Music Programme |
|
Dublin County Board |
|
Innovate Dublin |
|
Community Initiatives |
|
Safer Ballymun |
|
Sports Programme |
371. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Fitzgerald Park under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of 50 housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22647/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Fitzgerald Park to construct new social housing units through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. I understand that the Council is currently considering construction tenders for this project and I look forward to my Department receiving their proposal in this regard as soon as possible.
372. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Rosemount Court under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of 44 housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Rosemount Court to construct new social housing units through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
I understand that the Council is currently preparing tender documents in relation to this project and I look forward to my Department receiving them as soon as possible.
373. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Broadford Rise under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of 21 housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22649/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Broadford Rise to construct new social housing units through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
I understand that the Council is currently preparing pre-tender designs and costings for this project and I look forward to their submission to my Department as soon as possible.
374. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Rochestown House, phase 3, under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of 14 housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22650/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Rochestown House (Phase 3) to construct new social housing units through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The Council has recently provided my Department with a report on the completion of the tendering process. My Department is reviewing the report and a response will issue shortly to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in this regard.
375. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at St. Michael's Terrace under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of 4 housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22651/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Saint Michael's Terrace to construct new social housing units through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
I understand that the Council has recently awarded the construction contract in this case and that works are due to start on site shortly.
376. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Moreen Avenue under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of one housing unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22652/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Moreen Avenue to construct a new social housing unit through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
I understand that the project is to be revised by the Council due to changes in circumstances for the family for whom it is intended. Once this revision has taken place, I look forward to its submission to my Department as soon as possible.
377. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Sallynoggin Close under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of four housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22653/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Sallynoggin Park to construct new social housing units through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
I understand that the Council is currently developing pre-tender designs and costings for this project and I look forward to their submission to my Department as soon as possible.
378. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Park Close, Sallynoggin under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of 10 housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22654/16]
View answerThe advancement of the project at Park Close, Sallynoggin to construct new social housing units through design, planning and construction is a matter in the first instance for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
I understand that the Council is currently developing pre-tender designs and costings for this project and I look forward to their submission to my Department as soon as possible.
379. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the construction project at Dale Road, Kilmacud under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which should result in the creation of four housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22655/16]
View answerDún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council recently informed my Department that the Approved Housing Body responsible for the delivery of this project has withdrawn its funding application and the project is not now progressing.
