Friday, 16 Dec 2016

Written Answers Nos. 178 - 199

School Closures

Questions (178)

Niall Collins

Question:

178. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the programme for Government commitment of no closure of small schools has been achieved to date in 2016. [40844/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To provide rural communities with security about the future of their schools, a commitment is contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents.

I can confirm to the Deputy that this Programme for a Partnership Government commitment has been adhered to.

Apprenticeship Data

Questions (179, 180)

Niall Collins

Question:

179. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total spend on apprenticeship training; the number of apprentices in training, by each main employment sector and sub sector, in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40846/16]

Niall Collins

Question:

180. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total spend on apprenticeship training; if he will provide a breakdown between the total number of male and female apprentices in training by each employment sector and sub sector in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40847/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy John Halligan)

The data sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables:

Table 1: Apprenticeship Costs/Funded

Year	€’000 *
2010	68.400
2011	43.353
2012	32.166
2013	27.942
2014	25.900
2015	34.800
2016	43.000

*Direct provision costs in ETB training centres plus training allowances at all off the job phases excludes certain salary and support costs and provision costs in Institutes of Technology

Apprentice Population 2010 - 2016 by Sector, Trade and Gender

Population at end:	2010			2011			2012			2013			2014			2015			2016 year to date (13.12.16)
	Female	Male	Grand Total	Female	Male	Grand Total	Female	Male	Grand Total	Female	Male	Grand Total	Female	Male	Grand Total	Female	Male	Grand Total	Female	Male	Grand Total
Construction Total	5	3,803	3,808	6	2,756	2,762	4	1,690	1,694	3	1,194	1,197	4	1,433	1,437	4	1,731	1,735	7	2,302	2,309
Brick and Stonelaying		202	202		147	147		85	85		54	54		53	53		54	54		87	87
Cabinet Making		150	150		101	101		35	35		10	10		4	4		5	5		3	3
Carpentry and Joinery	2	1743	1,745	2	1,167	1,169	1	715	716	1	405	406		471	471		657	657	1	881	882
Floor and Wall Tiling		21	21		15	15		7	7		4	4		2	2		1	1
Painting and Decorating	1	100	101	3	86	89	3	66	69		37	37		33	33		40	40	1	50	51
Pipefitting																1	33	34	1	59	60
Plastering	1	174	175		116	116		63	63		40	40		28	28		34	34		37	39
Plumbing	1	1395	1,396	1	1,097	1,098		688	688	1	603	604	2	777	779		798	798	2	1,032	1,034
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry														16	16		28	28		27	27
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing		13	13		23	23		29	29	1	41	42	2	49	51	3	81	84	2	126	128
Wood Machinist		5	5		4	4		2	2
Electrical Total	31	3,534	3,565	22	2,974	2,996	20	2,148	2,168	14	2,016	2,030	14	2,538	2,552	14	3,085	3,099	19	4,127	4,158
Aircraft Mechanics	7	130	137	4	122	126	3	110	113	1	123	124		136	136		132	132		146	146
Electrical	20	3039	3,059	16	2,540	2,556	15	1,770	1,785	12	1,610	1,622	13	2,020	2,033	12	2,479	2,491	16	3,394	3,410
Electrical Instrumentation	1	111	112	2	87	89	2	80	82	1	101	102	1	162	163	1	210	211	1	259	260
Electronic Security Systems		48	48		49	49		37	37		35	35		35	35		48	48		61	61
Instrumentation	2	17	19		16	16		17	17		17	17		25	25		28	28	1	29	30
Refrigeration	1	189	190		160	160		134	134		130	130		160	160	1	188	189	1	238	239
Engineering Total	-	964	964	1	942	943	3	889	892	4	1,017	1,021	3	1,230	1,233		1,441	1,441		1,580	1,580
Farriery		23	23		32	32		31	31		23	23		20	20		20	20		15	15
Industrial Insulation		10	10		10	10		10	10		11	11		16	16		28	28		31	31
M.A.M.F.		421	421	1	391	392	1	358	359	2	393	395	2	478	480		527	527		578	578
Metal Fabrication		370	370		361	361	1	320	321	1	364	365		441	441		552	552		618	618
Sheet Metalworking		71	71		54	54		44	44		43	43		58	58		81	81		94	94
Toolmaking		69	69		94	94	1	126	127	1	183	184	1	217	218		233	233		244	244
Motor Total	5	1,775	1,780	4	1,583	1,587	3	1,440	1,443	7	1,433	1,440	7	1,661	1,668	6	2,010	2,016	6	2,243	2,249
Agricultural Mechanics		132	132		109	109		89	89		98	98		112	112		140	140		148	148
Construction Plant Fitting	1	162	163		142	142		127	127	1	146	147	1	165	166		199	199		215	215
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics		383	383		310	310		286	286	1	276	277		344	344	1	428	429		470	470
Motor Mechanics	4	910	914	4	857	861	2	806	808	5	810	815	6	926	932	5	1,125	1,130	6	1,258	1,264
Vehicle Body Repairs		188	188		165	165	1	132	133		103	103		114	114		118	118		152	152
Printing & Paper Total	3	51	54	2	38	40	2	24	26	2	21	23	1	22	23	2	24	26	1	18	19
Print Media	3	48	51	2	36	38	2	22	24	2	21	23	1	22	23	2	24	26	1	18	19
Priniting		2	2		1	1		2	2
Bookbinding		1	1		1	1
Grand Total	44	10,127	10,171	35	8,293	8,328	32	6,191	6,223	30	5,681	5,711	29	6,884	6,913	26	8,291	8,317	33	10,270	10,315

Apprenticeship Data

Questions (181, 182)

Niall Collins

Question:

181. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of male and female apprentices in training by each employment sector and sub sector under new apprenticeship categories being rolled out by the Apprenticeship Council to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40848/16]

Niall Collins

Question:

182. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of category 1 apprenticeships referred to in the 2015 Apprenticeship Council report on new apprenticeship programme proposals; the details of apprenticeships under this category that have been rolled out to date; the total take up to date; the gender break down; the timescale of the remaining category 1 apprenticeships being rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40849/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Two new statutory apprenticeships commenced in 2016. The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship was launched in September and the Industrial Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship in November.

The new Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship, developed jointly by the Insurance Institute of Ireland and Institute of Technology Sligo, will see apprentices work and receive practical on-the-job training 4 days each week and will study online from their place of work one day a week. The three year programme is at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications and leads to an honours degree in Insurance Practice.

A total of 67 apprentices have started the programme, 38 male and 29 female.

The Industrial Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship was launched on 21 November 2016 with 12 registered apprentices, all of whom are male. The 2-year programme is at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications and leads to a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Electrical Engineering. The programme is targeted at qualified electricians who wish to progress further in their learning and their careers. The programme is ‘block-release’ with five stages, three of which comprise 21 weeks each on the job with two further periods of 15 weeks spent in formal training in the Institute of Technology Limerick.

The 13 further apprenticeships are expected to be implemented, subject to further development and validation, in 2017.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (183)

Niall Collins

Question:

183. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of category 2 and category 3 apprenticeships referred to in the 2015 Apprenticeship Council report on new apprenticeship programme proposals; the timescale to complete these categories and operationalise them for immediate rollout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40850/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Information events hosted by SOLAS were held for category 2 and 3 proposers in November. Proposers have been asked to submit their detailed development plans, including timescales for completing each of the remaining development steps, to the Apprenticeship Council by mid January. Details of these proposals will be provided as development funding is released.

The Apprenticeship Council will work closely with consortia to develop these proposals into sustainable apprenticeships that can be delivered on a nationwide basis.

School Guidance Counsellors

Questions (184)

Micheál Martin

Question:

184. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of career guidance counsellors in place since September 2016; if this number will be increased from January to June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40867/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Budget 2016 provided for an allocation of 300 additional posts to second level schools for the purpose of enhancing guidance provision. This improvement took effect from September 2016.

Budget 2017 provides for 2,400 additional teaching posts by the end of 2017. This includes 100 posts arising from enhancements to guidance. These posts will come on stream in September 2017.

The allocation of a whole time equivalent of an additional 100 teachers to second level schools is a restoration of a further 16% of the teaching resources that were removed when the allocation of guidance posts was brought within quota. 

The delivery of this 16% restoration in addition to the 50% restoration in Budget 2016, means that two thirds of the Guidance allocation that was withdrawn in Budget 2012 will be restored in our schools with effect from September 2017.

As a result of this decision to further enhance the guidance allocation to schools and provide schools with a separate allocation for guidance outside of the quota, the pupil teacher ratio (PTR) will revert to 19:1 with effect from September 2017. This will mean that 400 posts will be provided in respect of Guidance as a separate allocation from outside of the quota. The guidance allocation will be shown separately on the staffing schedules and will represent 0.4 of the PTR for each school. DEIS schools will have a guidance allocation of 1.15 of the PTR which represents the total guidance allocation that was restored to these schools.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (185)

Brendan Smith

Question:

185. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stage a proposed building project (details supplied) is at; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for this project to proceed to tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40934/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b),which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents.

When the Statutory Approvals are secured the Design Team will finalise the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission which will be submitted to my Department by the Board of Management, as client, for review. Following receipt and consideration of that report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.

School Transport Review

Questions (186)

Brendan Smith

Question:

186. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the review of the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40935/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

Currently over 113,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

The review of the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme has been completed and is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (187)

Brendan Smith

Question:

187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a proposed building project at a school (details supplied); when this project will proceed to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40936/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that a project for the school to which he refers was included in the Department's 6 Year Capital Programme. The project for the school in question will be progressed with a view to proceeding to tender and construction stages in 2019-2021, as outlined in the programme. My Department will be in contact with the school in due course in the context of progressing the project into the architectural planning process.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Questions (188)

Brendan Smith

Question:

188. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a longstanding application for refurbishment and extension of facilities at a school (details supplied) will be progressed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such facilities are needed to cater for increasing enrolments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40937/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that my Department received an application from the school, to which the Deputy refers, for a major capital project which included a request for additional classrooms, electrical works, hearing impaired unit and a PE Hall.

My Department contacted the school regarding the application and the school subsequently prioritised elements of the application, specifically, classrooms, a hearing impaired unit and electrical works.

My Department approved funding to the school for 3 mainstream classrooms, a hearing impaired unit and electrical works. The project for the classrooms was completed in 2015 and the hearing impaired project is currently in train. The electrical works were funded under the Summer Works Scheme 2016/17 and these works are also in train.

My Department explained to the school that due to the very significant challenge facing my Department in prioritising the available capital funding for essential classrooms to meet the demand for extra school places, it is not possible, at this point, to consider the school's application for a PE Hall.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (189)

Brendan Smith

Question:

189. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a building project at a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to have this new accommodation provided at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41000/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 2(a) – Developed Design stage of architectural planning.

Following a meeting between the Department, Board of Management and Design Team in December 2015, the Design Team were requested to amend and develop the design based on an increased scope of works. The Design Team recently submitted the Stage 2(a) Addendum to the Department, which is currently under review.

Upon the successful completion of Stage 2(a) and subject to no issues arising, the project will be authorised to proceed to Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design which includes the preparation of full tender documents. Planning permission has already been secured for this project.

The Design Team will finalise the Stage 2(b) (Detailed Design) report which will then be submitted to my Department by the Board of Management, as client, for review. Following receipt and consideration of that report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.

School Curriculum

Questions (190)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

190. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount which will be specifically allocated in 2017 to teaching coding in primary and post-primary schools. [41007/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Exact expenditure figures regarding the teaching of coding in schools are not available, as funding is not allocated by my Department on a subject by subject basis. However, work is taking place at both primary and post-primary levels on coding.

In 2017, 5,800 teachers were provided with ICT training, to include coding, by the Professional Development Service for Teachers - Technology in Education (PDST - TIE).  PDST-TIE promotes and supports the integration of ICT in teaching and learning in primary and post-primary schools. In addition 239 ICT tutors were trained. 

Primary

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently in the process of developing a new primary mathematics curriculum to include computational thinking (including coding), and flexible and creative thinking skills. 

Junior Cycle

The NCCA has developed a short course on Coding which is available to schools for their Junior Cycle programme on an optional basis. The course looks to build on any coding skills that primary students might have experienced while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering. Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) is my Department’s support service providing continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for teachers to support the implementation of Junior Cycle reform. The JCT will provide CPD in relation to the Coding short course in 2017.

Senior Cycle

The NCCA was requested by my Department to examine the introduction Computer Science in schools from September 2019. In this context, the NCCA has initially commissioned a scoping/research study looking at provision for computer science in a number of countries. The report of the study will be published in the New Year. A public consultation process, is planned for early in 2017. 

As part of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, €210m will be distributed to schools for the purchase of ICT Infrastructure to support the implementation of ICT in the curriculum commencing with €30m in the first half of 2017. 

Furthermore, on top of all these initiatives, a large number of schools are running voluntary coding programmes through initiatives such as Coder Dojo (over 200 dojos in Ireland), Hour of Code where over 200 events took place in Ireland and the  annual computer programming olympiad held at Dublin City University.

School Curriculum

Questions (191)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

191. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in 2017 which will be providing coding courses and at which levels. [41008/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

At Junior Cycle level the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed a short course on Coding which is available to schools for their Junior Cycle programme on an optional basis. The course looks to build on coding skills that primary students might have experienced while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering. Exact figures are not currently available regarding take-up of this course.

'Exploring Coding' is a collaborative initiative designed to support schools and teachers in their inclusion of the Junior Cycle short course in Coding. 22 schools were chosen from over 120 entries to participate in this initiative. During the year-long pilot, participating teachers participate in five Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events to share current practice and explore the new short course, contribute to an online community of participating teachers and share their experiences with the JCT short courses team. Further information is available at the following link:  https://www.jct.ie/perch/resources/english_pdf/website-review-200516-resources-coding.pdf

At Senior Cycle my Department's Action Plan for Education contains a commitment to developing a subject specification for Leaving Certificate computer science which will help to harness and develop student interest in this strategically important discipline. In this regard the NCCA was requested by my Department to examine the introduction of a Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject, with a view to introducing this subject in schools from September 2019. In this context, the NCCA has commissioned a scoping/research study looking at provision for computer science in a number of countries. The report of the study will be published in the New Year. A public consultation process is planned for early in 2017. 

At primary level the NCCA is in the process of developing a new primary mathematics curriculum.  Following the Minister's request to consider how children’s computational, flexible and creative thinking skills might be developed through this new mathematics curriculum, and how coding might be integrated in the wider primary curriculum, the NCCA is reviewing curriculum policy and practice in other jurisdictions in terms of these areas of children's education at primary level.

The PDST Technology in Education provide training for both primary and post primary teachers in ICT which includes 'Scratch' coding.  5,800 teachers received ICT training in 2016.

Furthermore, on top of all these initiatives, a large number of schools are running voluntary coding programmes through initiatives such as Coder Dojo (over 200 dojos in Ireland),  Hour of Code where over 200 events took place in Ireland and the  annual computer programming olympiad held at Dublin City University.

Local Authority Housing Eligibility

Questions (192)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

192. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if care leavers have been recognised as a priority cohort for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40744/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The allocation of social housing support is a matter for housing authorities under their allocation schemes made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. An allocation scheme is required to specify, amongst other things, the order of priority for the allocation of dwellings to households and classes of households on the waiting list. The making of an allocation scheme is a reserved function of each housing authority and decisions on the awarding of priority to any particular cohort is a matter for each authority. An allocation scheme may also contain provisions for exceptional or emergency cases, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting list priorities, should circumstances warrant it. While it is understood that the number of care leavers involved would be low, it is considered that the existing Joint Working Protocol on Young People Leaving State Care agreed between housing authorities and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, together with the discretion available to housing authorities in operating their allocation schemes, provide the appropriate mechanisms to ensure that sufficient priority is afforded to young people leaving State care.

Nitrates Usage

Questions (193)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

193. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the regulatory position regarding the stocking rate limit of 170kg organic nitrogen per hectare. [40896/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The EU Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme limit the amount of nitrogen from livestock manure which may be applied to land each year, including by the animals themselves, to 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per annum. On 27 February 2014, after lengthy negotiation, the EU Nitrates Management Committee renewed Ireland’s derogation which enables farmers who meet strict conditions to increase this application limit to 250kg of nitrogen per hectare per annum. This derogation was given effect by an EU Decision and is transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has commenced the process of a review of the Nitrates Action Programme prior to formal engagement with the European Commission with a view to having a new Nitrates Action Programme in place by 2018, to run up to 2021. A request for a new nitrates derogation will be submitted to the Commission as part of the review process. A full consultation process will be carried out in early 2017 as part of this review and any issues raised by stakeholders will be considered as part of that process.

Wind Energy Guidelines

Questions (194)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

194. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of plans to upgrade wind turbine guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40904/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 13 December 2016.

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Questions (195)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is considering increasing the income thresholds for the purposes of qualifying for inclusion on a social housing waiting list; the thresholds from 2011 to date in 2016 and the comparison with the cost of accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40489/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.

I am satisfied that the current income limits generally provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. These limits will continue to be kept under review by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.

Tenancy Protection Scheme

Questions (196)

Barry Cowen

Question:

196. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the figures from the RTB on the number or percentage of private rental tenancies that are fixed term agreements and the number that are Part 4 tenancy agreements. [40496/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. I have no function in relation to the operational matters of the Board. The Act provides that landlords in the sector must apply to register the tenancy of a dwelling with the RTB within one month of the commencement of the tenancy. There are currently over 325,500 tenancies registered with the RTB, comprising over 174,500 landlords and over 516,500 tenants.

Security of tenure under the 2004 Act is based on rolling four-year tenancy cycles. Where a tenant has been in occupation of a dwelling for a continuous period of 6 months and no notice of termination has been served in respect of that tenancy before the expiry of the period of 6 months, the tenancy is established for the remainder of the four-year period. This is referred to in the Act as a ‘Part 4’ tenancy. Landlords and tenants may not contract out of any of the provisions of Part 4 of the Residential Tenancies Act and no lease, tenancy agreement, contract or other agreement may operate to vary or modify the provisions of Part 4 of the Act.

The entitlement to a four-year tenancy is a minimum entitlement for tenants after 6 months. This does not prevent landlords providing for longer fixed-term tenancies should they wish to do so and there is nothing in the Act to prevent a landlord providing a tenant with more beneficial rights generally than those that are provided for in the Act. Where a fixed-term tenancy continues for more than 6 months then, subject to limited exceptions, the tenant acquires the right to a Part 4 tenancy in addition to any rights they have under their fixed tenancy agreement.

My Department does not hold or collate the data in relation to the number of tenancies that are subject to fixed-term agreements, Part 4 agreements or both. The Clerk of Dáil Éireann has requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September from my Department, the RTB have set up a dedicated email address for this purpose at [e-mail].

Nitrates Usage

Questions (197)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

197. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the transitional arrangements for pig farmers can be allowed to continue in the current format until the full review of the nitrates regulations in 2017 is completed, in view of the fact that this is necessary to ensure that pig slurry is not disenfranchised and to promote its use as an environmental alternative to imported chemical slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40530/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 179 of 6 December 2016. The position is unchanged.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (198, 199)

Brendan Smith

Question:

198. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding that will be provided to Cavan County Council in 2017 for the completion of unfinished housing estates; the projects that will be grant aided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40576/16]

Brendan Smith

Question:

199. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding that will be provided to Monaghan County Council in 2017 for the completion of unfinished housing estates; the projects that will be grant aided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40577/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I propose taking Question Nos. 198 and 199 together.

With regard to the National Taking in Charge Initiative (NTICI), funding was provided in 2016. There is no further funding targeted under this initiative for 2017.

The Deputy may wish to note that, in 2016, Cavan was allocated funding for 23 developments, totalling €151,354. Monaghan was allocated a total of €111,170 towards the taking-in-charge of 12 developments.