Written Answers Nos 80-88
80. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the applications received in his Department from local authorities for funding for the open library initiative; the locations that were included in these applications; the amounts approved for each application; the amounts paid to date in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30113/16]
View answerMy Department received 27 applications under the My Open Library initiative following a call for proposals from interested local authorities in June 2016. Approval-in-principle to proceed to procurement and commence works was given to local authorities for 23 projects; four applications (Rathdowney (Laois), Borris (Carlow), Carrick-on-Suir (Tipperary) and Donabate (Fingal) ) were withdrawn.
My Department is providing grant assistance of 75% of the total estimated eligible cost of each project. All works must be completed and expenditure incurred to facilitate the drawdown of grant aid. We expect the first drawdown requests to be submitted by local authorities from mid-November 2016. The applications approved to date and the indicative allocations are detailed in the following table.
|
County |
Library Branch |
Indicative Allocation |
|
Carlow |
Mhuine Bheag |
€27,000 |
|
Cavan |
Johnstown , Cavan Town |
€63,750* |
|
Clare |
Ennis |
€59,355 |
|
Donegal |
Buncrana |
€60,054* |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Deansgrange |
€20,400 |
|
Galway |
Oranmore |
€61,915 |
|
Galway |
Ballinasloe |
€18,300 |
|
Kilkenny |
Castlecomer |
€53,010 |
|
Laois |
Portarlington |
€31,165 |
|
Limerick |
Cappamore |
€37,500 |
|
Longford |
Ballymahon |
€23,710 |
|
Louth |
Ardee |
€189,490 |
|
Mayo |
Swinford |
€34,875 |
|
Mayo |
Ballina |
€60,750 |
|
Meath |
Trim |
€60,600 |
|
Monaghan |
Carickmacross |
€48,075 |
|
Offaly |
Ferbane |
€55,315 |
|
Offaly |
Edenderry |
€50,365 |
|
Tipperary |
Nenagh |
€59,500* |
|
Waterford |
Dungarvan |
€43,875 |
|
Westmeath |
Moate |
€32,650 |
|
Wexford |
Gorey |
€30,325 |
|
Wicklow |
Arklow |
€19,050 |
* The indicative allocations for Johnstown, Buncrana and Nenagh are VAT inclusive. All other allocations are net of VAT; however, the Department’s contribution will cover the VAT element.
81. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the discussion that took place in his Department in 2015 regarding a figure of €2.3 million for the open library initiative in the 2016 Estimates; when the first public announcement was made on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30125/16]
View answerAn allocation of €2.3m has been provided for the continued roll-out of the My Open Library service as part of my Department’s Libraries Capital Investment Programme 2016-2021. The programme was officially launched in January 2016 by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The programme builds on funding provided by the Department in previous years to support the development of library infrastructure by local authorities. The programme will contribute €22m towards the cost of new library developments by local authorities over the period.
Programme funding was agreed as part of the annual Estimates process and in the context of the capital funding available to my Department. The primary focus was to maximise the number of projects funded, while ensuring the amount allocated to each project was sufficient for those projects to proceed. This is reflected in the allocation of almost €20m to major capital developments under the programme.
A smaller allocation was provided for the extension of the My Open Library service, with €300,000 allocated for 2016 and €400,000 for each of the five subsequent years. Funding is allocated to libraries on the basis of applications received from local authorities interested in rolling out the service in their respective areas.
Taking account of slower than expected progress on certain other elements of the overall programme, my Department is in now a position to accelerate the roll-out of the My Open Library service in 2016. An estimated €1.3m will be invested in the service in 2016 with the remaining allocation of €1m invested over the period 2017-2021.
82. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details of the housing projects which have been submitted by Louth County Council and are awaiting approval by his Department; the details of both SHCEP and CALF projects; the time the projects are awaiting approval; and when approval will be given. [30126/16]
View answerMy Department offers financial support to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in the form of a long term loan under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) to assist with the financing of the construction or acquisition of units that will be provided for social housing use. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the project, where the units will be provided under long-term lease arrangements (and funded by the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP)) to local authorities for social housing use. It is important to note that the delivery of units is contingent on additional private finance or borrowing being secured by the AHB.
There are currently 7 separate applications from AHBs seeking CALF support for projects in the administrative area of Louth County Council, under consideration by my Department at present. Together these projects could deliver a total of 183 units.
While the Department cannot provide specific details relating to individual projects prior to approval, I can confirm that all of the applications were received in my Department for consideration between late May and early October 2016. Financial appraisals of the individual CALF applications are carried out by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. In that context, my Department has made a commitment to AHBs and local authorities that CALF assessments would be completed, and determinations made, within 6 weeks of receipt. In relation to the 7 proposals on hand, my Department is working very closely with all stakeholders including the AHBs, Louth County Council and the Housing Agency to ensure prompt consideration of the applications. 5 of the proposals are within the 6 week time-frame and the remaining 2 are with the local authority for additional consideration.
My Department has no SHIP projects currently awaiting approval from Louth County Council.
83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position in regard to the restoration, refurbishment and replacement of houses at St. Patrick's Park, Rathangan, County Kildare, in respect of which funding and approval may be required from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30170/16]
View answerMy Department approved funding of €7.58 million in January 2016 for a Remedial Works Scheme at St. Patrick’s Park, Rathangan, County Kildare, with 10% of the cost to be provided from the local authority’s own resources.
My Department is working closely with Kildare County Council on various aspects of the scheme which is being delivered in 3 phases. Phase 1, which is currently in progress, comprises remedial works to 35 units and a range of other improvements to the area. Phase 2 will include the demolition of 4 units and construction of 6 units, along with associated site development works; a public consultation under the Part 8 planning process on this phase is scheduled to commence in November 2016. Phase 3 will include the refurbishment of 19 units, the construction of 11 units, some targeted demolitions and associated site works.
Local authority housing construction projects require careful consideration and planning, and their advancement through the various phases of development is in the first instance a matter for the proposing local authority. Kildare County Council anticipate that Phase 1 works will be completed by the end of 2017 with works on the remaining phases to commence in quarter 2, 2017.
84. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the slurry spreading deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30175/16]
View answer86. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will extend the period of time for slurry spreading due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in 2016; if he has flexibility as per Northern Ireland to extend the deadline in cases of reasonable cause; if Ireland's temperate oceanic climate is factored when complying with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30196/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 86 together.
The Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the consolidated European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014, as amended. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.
Good agricultural practice involves the land spreading of organic fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water courses and groundwaters. In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations include provisions regarding periods when the land application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or heavy rain is forecast.
Specified closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, are a key aspect of the Nitrates Regulations. They are a requirement of the Nitrates Directive and are mandatory in every Member State. The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission when Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme was being introduced. The provisions of the Regulations are underpinned by scientific research and good agricultural practice. The most recent scientific studies carried out on a diverse range of farm and soil types as part of Teagasc’s on-going Agricultural Catchments Programme has provided further evidence in support of the efficacy of the prohibited spreading periods in reducing nutrient losses to waters.
The Nitrates Action Programme will be reviewed again in 2017 and my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is now commencing the review process prior to formal engagement with the European Commission. The ultimate aim of the review process is to gain approval for a 4th Nitrates Action Programme for Ireland by the end of 2017, including the renewal of Ireland’s derogation. An important aspect of the review process will be a public consultation exercise in early 2017.
Ireland faces considerable challenges in meeting the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to bring all waters back to good status at least. Taking those challenges and the evidence in support of the benefit of closed periods into consideration I have no plans at present to extend the spreading periods for organic fertilisers in 2016 but am monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
85. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to address the disparity where domestic violence occurs in a local authority tenancy and both adults are named on the tenancy meaning that one cannot access housing supports needed on exiting a refuge or leaving a violent relationship; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such cases exist; the direction he is providing to local authorities to ensure that persons escaping violent relationships are given the appropriate housing supports despite already being named on a tenancy and while they are named on a tenancy pending a family court hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30181/16]
View answerResponsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic abuse rests with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the delivery of such services is managed through the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.
A housing authority may provide short-term emergency housing to persons who are forced to leave their homes because of domestic violence, without having to assess their eligibility for social housing support or include them on the authority’s housing waiting list. Such support can be provided where victims of domestic violence meet the homeless definition set out in the Housing Act 1988, which is not prescriptive and in practice will generally include victims of domestic violence.
Where a social housing assessment is an appropriate longer-term response to enable that household to access social housing supports, the relevant housing authority may determine that household to be in need of social housing support where, in accordance with the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, the authority considers that the household’s current accommodation is unsuitable in terms of adequate housing provision, having regard to particular household circumstances or exceptional medical or compassionate grounds. This allows a housing authority to consider a victim of domestic violence as having a housing need and to be placed on a housing list, subject to the household meeting all other eligibility criteria.
Where a victim of domestic violence applies for social housing support in their own right while still a joint tenant, it is a matter for the relevant local authority to address the contractual issues arising in relation to the joint tenancy agreement. A housing authority may assist a victim of domestic violence to transfer out of their existing tenancy and enter into a new tenancy agreement.
Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan on Housing & Homelessness, which was published on 19 July 2016, commits to the development and publication of procedural guidance during 2016 for housing authorities with regard to the role they can play to assist victims of domestic violence in securing new independent tenancies.
87. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline and possible composition for any committee to review the Gender Recognition Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30009/16]
View answerThe Gender Recognition Act 2015 was commenced on 4 September 2015. Section 7 of the Act provides that the Minister for Social Protection shall commence a review of the operation of the Act not later than 2 years after the date of commencement. The Act further provides that not later than 12 months after the commencement of that review, the Minister shall make a report of the findings of the review to each House of the Oireachtas.
It is intended that the review will commence in September 2017 to allow for a full evaluation of the operation of the Act.
The report to the Houses of the Oireachtas will be made in September 2018.
The precise format of the review has not, as yet, been decided. However since the enactment of the Gender Recognition Act my Department has been working with other relevant Departments, particularly the Departments of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the implementation of the legislation. I am aware that both of those Departments have been working with the various stakeholders on issues to do with, for example schools and also the concerns of children. The work which is being done now will greatly assist the review when it begins next year.
88. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person receiving a carer's allowance is not entitled to keep their own fuel allowance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30016/16]
View answerA Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a person’s home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. The 2016/17 Fuel season commenced on 3 October 2016.
Only one Fuel Allowance is paid to a household.
Fuel Allowance is not payable with Carer’s Allowance (CA) alone. However, if the carer is getting half-rate CA along with another long-term social welfare payment, they may have an entitlement to the allowance.
The person concerned should apply to the office that administers their long-term social welfare payment.
If the person being cared for is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment such as disability allowance, invalidity pension or a state pension, they may qualify for Fuel Allowance in their own right.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
