Parliamentary questions

Discussions with European Leaders

Gerry Adams

1. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the contacts that he has had with European leaders since the summer recess. [37878/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Gerry Adams

2. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the issues he will prioritise for the European Council meeting of 18 and 19 October. [37879/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Gerry Adams

3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he has been in contact with German Chancellor Angela Merkel since the Dáil went into recess. [37880/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Micheál Martin

4. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has met or spoken with Chancellor Merkel recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38800/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Micheál Martin

5. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to visit European capitals prior to Ireland's Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38801/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Joe Higgins

6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the European leaders with whom he has had discussions with since the summer recess. [38949/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Joe Higgins

7. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has submitted any proposals for the EU summit taking place on the 18 to 19 October in Brussels; the issues he will prioritise; and if he has received an agenda. [38952/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Micheál Martin

8. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach whether he has been contacted by Prime Minister Samaras to discuss developments in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39017/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Micheál Martin

9. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has had any discussions recently with President Hollande; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39027/12]

Discussions with European Leaders

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the EU leaders he intends to meet in the autumn and winter period; the issues he intends to raise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39031/12]

Local Government Fund

Barry Cowen

37. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the funding originally budgeted for the Local Government Fund in 2012; the total amount estimated to be spent in view of cuts to the grant on the basis of household charge payment rates in each local authority area; the estimated average cut to the Local Government Fund allocation in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39116/12]

Pyrite Panel Report Implementation

Dessie Ellis

38. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the position regarding the progress made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Pyrite report and any other work being undertaken to resolve the issue. [39326/12]

Private Rented Accommodation Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

39. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the legal obligations for landlords in Dublin City to maintain a high standard quality of their rental accommodation, to prevent overcrowding in their properties, to prevent the dereliction of their rented accommodation internally and externally, to replace and maintain appliances in their properties for their tenants and to manage waste and dumping; the legal avenues that exist for communities and residents in Dublin Central that are having difficulties with landlords who are not addressing these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39327/12]

Water Charges Introduction

Barry Cowen

40. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the current timeframe for the introduction of water metering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39118/12]

Local Government Fund

Brian Stanley

41. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government in view of the impending financial problems facing local authorities throughout the State, if he will reverse the cuts in the Local Government Fund and restore adequate funding for the provision of council services to our citizens and communities. [39373/12]

Proposed Legislation

Michael Colreavy

42. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the progress that has been made on the road map to develop a Climate Change Bill; and the contact he has had with his counterparts in the Northern Assembly. [39073/12]

Local Government Reform

Willie O'Dea

43. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the status of his local government reform document; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39000/12]

Proposed Legislation

Catherine Murphy

44. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will give a commitment on the introduction of climate change legislation before the end of December 2012; if he will outline the intended role he envisages for the sub Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government in helping to draft the heads of the proposed legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39039/12]

Water Meters Installation

John McGuinness

45. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the current time frame for the introduction of water metering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38988/12]

Local Government Fund

Barry Cowen

46. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will outline the reduction in the Local Government Fund allocation to each local authority area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38983/12]

Septic Tank Registration Scheme

Micheál Martin

47. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the number of septic tank owners that have signed up to the registration system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39006/12]

Derelict Sites

Patrick Nulty

48. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on plans to review the Derelict Sites Act 1990 to deal with the increase in derelict sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/12]

Local Authority Funding

Bernard Durkan

49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he will engage with the various local authorities now facing the possibility of cuts in services arising from the ongoing economic situation; if he will provide the local authorities with some means whereby they can take steps to improve their financial position; if he has received submissions from or exchanged views with the County Managers Association or the various local authorities' members representatives with a view to the identification of the best practice to be pursued whereby savings can be made or other measures taken to maintain the maximum level of services provided by the various local authorities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39014/12]

Septic Tank Registration Scheme

Martin Ferris

50. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the financial supports that will be put in place to assist households upgrading their septic tanks to meet the new standards. [39072/12]

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Pearse Doherty

51. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department have engaged in discussions or negotiations with the National Asset Management Agency to act on its requirement to provide a social dividend by releasing properties for social housing to the ownership of local authorities. [39067/12]

An Bord Pleanála Remit

Patrick O'Donovan

52. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing statutory time limits for the conclusion of hearings or investigations being carried out by An Bord Pleanála into public or private infrastructure projects of strategic importance due to the delays that are being caused and the uncertainty in relation to progressing these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39016/12]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Richard Boyd Barrett

53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for dealing with the 96,000 families on the housing list and to reduce substantially the long waiting times for permanent, secure and affordable housing for those families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39035/12]

Local Authority Housing Mortgages

Denis Naughten

54. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the criteria covering the issuing of local authority mortgages and shared ownership schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38778/12]

Foreshore Licences Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his intentions regarding a foreshore drilling licence applied for by a company (details supplied) concerning an area six kilometres off the Dalkey and Killiney coast, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39036/12]

Local Government Reform

Brian Stanley

56. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his plans to reform town councils; and if so, the criteria he will be using and the consultation that will take place with the public and with elected representatives. [39071/12]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Thomas P. Broughan

57. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has accepted all of the recommendations of the recent report of the Pyrite Panel; if he has established a timeframe for implementing all of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39034/12]

Household Charge Collection

Sean Fleming

58. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households that have paid the household charge to date; the changes he has made to the communication campaign; the number of letters that have been sent out to households which have not paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/12]

Commercial Rates Calculations

Brendan Griffin

59. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the current method of commercial rate calculation for small and medium sized enterprises; if he considers the current method to be outdated; if he will consider the introduction of a system, administered by the Revenue Commissioners, which would reflect the performance of the enterprise rather than the rental value of the premises; his views on whether such a system would be pro-enterprise and jobs and would also reduce disincentives to occupying vacant commercial units by providing a safeguard to business owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38264/12]

Local Authority Charges Application

Bernard Durkan

60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent, if any, to which agreement has been reached or arrangements put in place to set the levels and methodology for collection of the household charges which arise as a consequence of the memorandum of understanding and the general economic situation arising in the wake of the ongoing economic crisis which he inherited on assuming office; if he will try to ensure that the level of such charges will be cognisant of the many serious financial obligations and cutbacks now faced by the people; if he intends to have regard to the ability to meet the payments in such circumstances; if it is expected that payment can be made on a monthly basis or other deferred basis; if it is expected that the relevant local authorities are likely to benefit in a meaningful way from such charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39015/12]

Local Authority Charges Application

Seamus Kirk

61. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the impact he anticipates the future property tax will have on local authority revenue; if the revenue raised will go directly to the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39003/12]

Local Authority Charges Application

Timmy Dooley

62. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline his proposals for a property tax; the timeframe for the implementation of same; the estimated average cost per house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38991/12]

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Michael Colreavy

63. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the delivery of the promised 2,000 units from the National Asset Management Agency portfolio; and the details of the method through which they will be paid. [39066/12]

Local Authority Housing Bonds

Dessie Ellis

64. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to work with the other relevant Departments to put in place a model for housing bonds as promised in the Programme for Government. [39063/12]

Building Regulations Compliance

Joe Higgins

65. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in remedial works to housing units in Belmayne development, Dublin, which were intended to ensure compliance with fire safety building regulations following the discovery of breaches of those regulations in April 2011; and if he will confirm that all housing units in Belmayne now comply with the building regulations on the fire safety. [38948/12]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Michael McGrath

66. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated impact the 2012 Valuation Bill will have on local authority revenues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39012/12]

Environmental Policy

Clare Daly

67. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the purpose of the EPA Code of Practice: Waste Water Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (2009). [38907/12]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Patrick Nulty

68. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take to ensure that a sufficient supply of social housing is available to cope with housing needs; his views on whether his policy of encouraging housing associations to access finance from the Housing Finance Agency to acquire or build new units is running into difficulty because so few housing associations have been approved for finance from the HFA; his views on the number of social housing units provided by the National Asset Management Agency; the action he will take to address shortcomings in social housing policy and its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36900/12]

Local Government Reform

Catherine Murphy

69. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the date on which he intends to publish new proposals for the reform of local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39040/12]

Traveller Accommodation

Seán Crowe

70. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason that, out of a total Department spend of €6 million in respect of Traveller specific accommodation, Dublin City Council was awarded €50,000. [39075/12]

Waste Management Regulations

Gerry Adams

71. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will make public his proposals to regulate the domestic waste collection industry. [39070/12]

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Sandra McLellan

72. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to increase funding for social housing maintenance works in budget 2013. [39065/12]

Homelessness Strategy

Mary Lou McDonald

73. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the findings of the recent census that 230,000 units lie empty while up to 5,000 are homeless; his plans to proceed with a housing first initiative to combat this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39068/12]

Local Government Reform

Brian Stanley

74. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the stage of his proposals for local government reform; when same will be made public; and the programme of consultation with the public and elected representative that will take place. [39076/12]

An Bord Pleanála Appointments

Billy Timmins

75. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change the composition of An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36901/12]

Septic Tank Registration Scheme

Charlie McConalogue

76. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will outline the details of the septic tank registration information campaign he has undertaken; the money budgeted for the campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39011/12]