Written Answers Nos. 134-143
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35501/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that it is my Department's intention to fully implement the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021).
As the Deputy is aware, the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced last November, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion schools capital investment programme, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to tender/construction over the lifetime of the Plan. It is my Department's intention to progress these projects, including those listed for County Kildare, though the various stages of the architectural planning and construction process as outlined in the Plan.
The programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The Deputy will also be aware that the Capital Programme also progresses school projects that were announced under my Department's 5 Year Plan (2012-2016). In addition, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools, where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.
Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie.
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to class sizes at primary level. The most recent published information relates to the 2015/2016 school year. Statistics in relation to the current school year will be published in 2017 when the data has been compiled.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). School authorities are also requested, where possible, to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.
135. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to ban or highlight the effects of microbeads used in personal care products and biomedical research; the effects they are having on health and marine life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35274/16]
View answerMicrobeads are one facet of the larger problem of marine litter. Marine litter is a key feature of national and international maritime environmental policy. It has been identified as an issue to be addressed under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. It is also specified as a harmful human activity under the OSPAR Treaty which addresses pollution and other human impacts on the North Eastern Atlantic Environment.
The marine litter problem is largely caused by poor waste management on land and at sea. Marine litter can be found in every aspect of the marine environment, and ranges in size from large objects such as fishing nets or shipping containers to micro-litter particles (defined as particles being smaller than 1 millimetre in size) such as fibres from artificial fabrics or microbeads. The fact that litter can move across marine borders with wind and currents means that no one country can solve the problem on its own. It needs an international approach.
However, the extent of the marine litter problem and the level of harm it causes to the environment are not fully understood at this time. Nonetheless, we are taking measures in co-operation with the EU and with our OSPAR partners to address this issue on the basis of the precautionary principle (i.e. that we should treat it as potentially harmful and respond accordingly while we develop our understanding of the actual harm it causes).
In conjunction with this, we are undertaking research to quantify the problem, identify the main sources or marine litter, establish the harm caused, and develop techniques to prevent, reduce and monitor marine litter levels. We are also working to raise awareness of this issue. For example I am supporting An Taisce with funding to develop a world leading module on marine litter as part of their excellent Green Schools’ programme. If this pilot programme is successful, it will be rolled out, not only throughout Ireland, but will be used as a model internationally.
Plastic is a particular problem for the marine environment. Due to its buoyancy, it can easily be washed down rivers, blown offshore or collected by the tide from the shore as well as being dumped or lost directly into the seas from ships and fishing boats. It does not biodegrade and remains in the environment for a very long time. It can breakdown into secondary micro-plastic particles through erosion and there is evidence that both large plastic items and microplastics are being ingested by marine organisms with undetermined consequences. Microplastics are also entering the marine environment in other forms such as microbeads in products.
In relation to microbeads specifically, it is estimated that they represent a small but significant portion of marine micro plastic pollution. It is hard to remove them from waste water which can flow via rivers and estuaries into the sea and once there, they are impossible to remove. There are many well established natural biodegradable and mineral alternatives and there is a widely held view that their societal value as a product is considerably less than their potential for environmental harm. In general it is considered that plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and body care products, such as exfoliating creams and body washes, as well as in detergents and surface cleaning agents, should, ultimately, be banned from use. However, for maximum impact, this would be best achieved at an EU-wide level. Accordingly Ireland supports, in principle, the ultimate introduction of a ban on micro-plastic beads from cosmetics and detergents across the EU.
However, a comprehensive consultation process needs to be undertaken, including key stakeholders in industrial sectors, environmental science, public health and the general public, to establish how best to achieve this and how quickly it can be done. It is also important that any such proposal should be clearly limited to cosmetics and detergents at this time to avoid possible unintended consequences of a blanket ban. For example, there are legitimate uses for micro-plastics in medical and veterinary pharmaceuticals and alternatives may not yet have been developed that are safe for general use.
136. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has conducted an analysis of the cost effectiveness of the 2014 amalgamation of Waterford city and county councils, and the parallel abolition of Dungarvan and Tramore town councils; and if so, the findings which were arrived at. [35332/16]
View answerThe decision to replace town authorities with a new model of municipal governance under the Local Government Reform Act 2014 was designed primarily to strengthen local government within counties and to address widely acknowledged and long-standing weaknesses and anomalies in the previous system, rather than as a cost saving exercise. However, the 2012 Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First indicated that it would also be reasonable to anticipate that overall savings to local authorities in the range €15 to €20 million per annum relative to 2010 expenditure figures would be achievable from sub-county reorganisation when the reformed structures, including the establishment of municipal districts, had bedded down.
The Waterford Reorganisation Implementation Group, which oversaw planning for the merger of Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council identified long term payroll savings of some €4,350,000 per annum which it anticipated would accrue through the non-replacement of staff and councillors. In addition, a review by Grant Thornton, financial consultants, identified a further €755,000 per annum of specific savings in non-payroll expenditure, plus further potential savings of up to €272,000 per annum. This brings to almost €5.4m the estimated enduring annual savings. However, other savings which have not been captured in these exercises include the increased efficiencies brought about by more productive uses of staff which had previously been engaged in corporate type roles arising purely from the existence of separate local authorities.
137. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount that has been spent and is to be spent on marketing, advertising and holding press conferences for the Rebuilding Ireland initiative. [35370/16]
View answerThere has been no expenditure on marketing or advertising the Rebuilding Ireland programme and no such expenditure is planned.
There is a Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy associated with Rebuilding Ireland, the main aim of which is to ensure that the momentum for implementation is maintained throughout the life of the Plan. A key part of the successful implementation of Rebuilding Ireland will be ensuring that all stakeholders and the wider public are fully aware of the commitments, understand the range of initiatives and actions being rolled out and can access relevant and up-to-date information on progress.
A number of initiatives have been put in place aimed at maintaining and updating the information flow and providing a forum or point of contact for feedback where needed. For example, a dedicated website, www.rebuildingireland.ie, has been put in place and a dedicated email address, rebuildingireland@housing.gov.ie has also been created. Social media platforms are also being used to keep the public informed of progress in an open and accessible way.
Pillar specific launches have also taken place to build implementation momentum by allowing for a deeper focus on a specific pillar area. Three Pillar launches have taken place thus far and similar launches for the two remaining pillars will take place in due course. In relation to one of the Pillar launches, there was a cost of approximately €2,200 for room hire and associated costs.
Finally, there have been a series of local authority-hosted regional events, to stimulate and encourage active involvement and early engagement by all key stakeholders at local and regional levels.
All efforts will continue to be made to keep expenditure in connection with Rebuilding Ireland to a minimum. Further information in relation the Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy and in relation to progress more generally under Rebuilding Ireland is available in the First Quarterly Progress Report on Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (in respect of Quarter 3 commitments and actions), which was published on 1 November and can be accessed at: http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf.
138. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of requests his Department has received from Dublin City Council to date in 2016 regarding funding for the purchase of additional emergency appliances and-or equipment for Dublin Fire Brigade; the number of those requests that have been approved, pending or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35253/16]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
My Department, earlier this year, announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres. Under this programme, sixteen new-build fire stations are to be provided and ten fire stations are to be upgraded. The projects in the capital programme will be reassessed on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.
Dublin City Council provides fire services on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities. Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet is one of the key national priorities for the Fire Services Capital Programme. My Department announced a new national joint - procurement programme in 2015 to purchase 20 fire appliances, under which Dublin Fire Brigade received an allocation for three new appliances. Dublin City Council have been recouped €36,839 in respect of the Risk Based Approach to Emergency Cover project, and €4,059 for the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme this year. No other requests for funding have been received from Dublin City Council under the Fire Services Capital Programme to date.
All requests for funding from my Department’s Fire Services Capital Programme will be considered within the constraints of available resources and will have regard to local authorities’ priorities, the value for money offered by proposals and the totality of requests from fire authorities.
139. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funds available from his Department to Galway City Council and Galway County Council for capital projects in Traveller housing since 2011; the amount drawn down by each of the local authorities since 2011; the achievements by each of the local authorities since 2011 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35273/16]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Capital allocations and amounts recouped to Galway City Council and Galway County Council in respect of Traveller-specific accommodation for the years 2011 to 2016 are set out in the following table.
|
Galway City Council |
Galway County Council |
|||
|
Year |
Allocation € |
Recouped € |
Allocation € |
Recouped € |
|
2011 |
550,000 |
135,328 |
100,000 |
292,947 |
|
2012 |
360,000 |
391,250 |
500,000 |
0 |
|
2013 |
159,000 |
0 |
190,000 |
138,840 |
|
2014 |
75,127 |
72,241 |
0 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
62,150 |
0 |
0 |
|
2016 |
40,000 |
0* |
117,000 |
3,810* |
*Recouped to date
Both Councils have indicated to my Department that they expect to draw down their allocations in full by year-end.
Accommodation for Travellers is provided across a range of options and it is open to Travellers to opt for any form of accommodation. These include standard local authority housing, which is financed from my Department’s capital allocations for social housing, private rented accommodation or private housing assisted by local authorities or voluntary organisations, and Traveller-specific accommodation which is funded by means of 100% capital funding from my Department. Traveller-specific accommodation includes group housing schemes and halting sites. A breakdown of these accommodation options is set out in the Annual Reports of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC). The NTACC Reports for 2011, 2012 and 2013 are available on my Department’s website at the link below. The 2014 and 2015 NTACC Reports are currently being finalised and will be published shortly on my Department’s website: http://www.environ.ie/corporate/organisation/partner-bodies/national-traveller-accommodation-consultative-committee.
140. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures his Department is taking at policy level to encourage and incentivise rain water harvesting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35292/16]
View answerThe Building Regulations, which are primarily concerned with the safety and well-being of persons in and around buildings, set down mandatory performance standards for buildings, and these performance standards are regularly reviewed and upgraded over time. The statutory requirements are set out in twelve parts (classified as parts A to M) included under the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 to 2014. Technical guidance documents (TGDs) are published to accompany each of the twelve parts in order to demonstrate how the statutory requirements may be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulation(s). Compliance with the Building Regulations is the responsibility of the owner or builder of a building and/ or the works.
Generally speaking, the performance standards set out under the Building Regulations can be met by a variety of traditional or innovative approaches. The Building Regulations and the accompanying TGDs leave it open to building designers to pick the optimum solution for the particular building concerned while ensuring that the mandatory performance requirements are met.
In this regard, Part H of the Building Regulations sets out the legal requirements in relation to drainage and waste water disposal. Part H was the subject of a full review which concluded in late 2010 with the publication of Technical Guidance Document H – Drainage and Waste Water Disposal (2010) which provides detailed technical guidance on water sustainability systems that are coming into increasing use such as rainwater harvesting systems and systems for greywater usage. A number of corrections and amendments were also made to TGD H earlier this year.
While there are no mandatory requirements to install rainwater harvesting systems in new buildings, the technical guidance provided in TGD H ensures that rainwater harvesting systems, where used, can be designed and constructed in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with the best available national and international guidance. I have no proposals to amend Part H to obligate building owners to install rainwater harvesting systems in new buildings.
Part G of the Building Regulations sets out the minimum statutory requirements in respect of hygiene. Technical Guidance Document G – Hygiene (2008 ) was amended in 2008 and, in the interests of water efficiency, introduced a requirement that dual flush toilets are now standard when toilets are being installed in new buildings or are being replaced in existing buildings.
My Department has also published design guidance for local authorities - Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities - which emphasise environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. The influence of this guidance extends beyond social housing provision to provide an important reference point in promoting sustainability issues in the built environment generally.
141. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there will be an increase in funding for an organisation (details supplied) in 2017, particularly in view of the reduction in funding by 17% to that organisation since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35298/16]
View answerMy Department’s Community & Voluntary Supports & Programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. This programme supports 21 Volunteer Centres and 8 Volunteer Information Services, as well as a number of national organisations, including Volunteer Ireland. Over €3m was allocated for these organisations in 2016.
With the assistance of Volunteer Ireland, my Department has recently initiated a review of the distribution of funding to Volunteer Centres, to ensure that the approach adopted is sustainable. The funding of all Volunteer Centres will be considered in the course of this review, and in the context of the funding available following Budget 2017.
142. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans for new council housing units to be built in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35305/16]
View answerThe development of new social housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan is, in the first instance, a matter for the respective local authorities. Both local authorities were notified in April 2015 of social housing targets and provisional funding allocations out to end-2017; these are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/minsters-kelly-coffey-announce-eu15-billion-social-housing-targets-local. Together these two local authorities have a target of 445 social housing units for the period out to 2017, supported by an allocation of €24 million, to be invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes.
Both authorities have made proposals in respect of new social housing delivery via capital-funded programmes, which have been approved by my Department, as set out in announcements made in May 2015, July 2015 and January 2016. These announcements included over 56 units of accommodation in respect of Cavan and Monaghan, supported by investment of some € 6.3 million, details of which are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/ministers-kelly-coffey-announce-further-1000-social-housing-units.
Since then, 79 additional units have been approved for Cavan and Monaghan and added to their pipeline, as set out below.
|
Local Authority |
Location |
Delivery Method |
No. of Units |
|
Cavan |
Rosehill, Mullagh (Phase 6) |
LA Construction |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
Liseggerton, Clones by Oaklee Housing Trust |
AHB Construction |
16 |
|
Monaghan |
Monaghan Town |
3 Turnkey developments |
50 |
|
Monaghan |
Smithborough |
Turnkey development |
5 |
Given the projects that are already in the pipeline for both local authorities and the measures that are set out in Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, I anticipate a ramping up in social housing construction activity over the next year. While these construction projects are being advanced, acquisitions of new and second-hand houses and apartments remain an effective means of meeting immediate social housing need. This year, the two local authorities are looking to purchase around 70 housing units for social housing purposes. They have also continued to receive substantial support from my Department to remediate vacant social homes and make them available to those on the waiting list, with some 86 such housing units between those remediated in 2015 and targeted in 2016.
Support is also provided by my Department to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility for the delivery of new social housing. This funding approach is being used to support the acquisition and construction of 55 units by three AHBs in Cavan and Monaghan. Delivery is contingent on AHBs securing the balance of funding required from either private finance or other borrowings. If successful, it is anticipated that these 55 units will be delivered by the end of 2017. Locations include Kingscourt, Clones and Carrickmacross.
143. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the waiting lists for council housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35306/16]
View answerDetails on the number of households on waiting lists in each housing authority area are provided in the statutory summary of social housing assessments. The most recent figures available are the results of the 2013 summary. These are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf.
The 2013 results show that there were 741 and 696 households on the waiting lists in counties Cavan and Monaghan, respectively.
In accordance with a commitment given in the Social Housing Strategy 2020, the summary will be prepared on an annual basis from 2016 onwards. Preparation of the 2016 summary, which will provide up to date figures of national housing need, is well advanced and will be available shortly.
