Vol. 758 No. 3
14 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the revision of the national spatial strategy; his plans to review county development plans, de-zone lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13206/12]
The 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is a twenty-year planning framework designed to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development and population growth between regions, and it provides the spatial vision and principles for statutory regional planning guidelines across eight regions and for development plans at a local level.
A comprehensive review of implementation of the NSS was undertaken during 2010, culminating in the publication in October 2010 of the NSS Update and Outlook Report (available at www.environ.ie). This report reaffirmed the commitment to implementing long-term planning frameworks such as the NSS and identified new priorities and objectives to deliver more consistent implementation at all levels, taking account of experience since 2002 and the new environmental, budgetary and economic challenges that we continue to face. In particular, the 2010 Report identified a series of actions in respect of:
better alignment and prioritisation of sectoral infrastructure investment,
improved governance at national, regional and local levels, and
the promotion of more sustainable patterns of development, both in rural and urban contexts, through more effective, evidence-based planning policies, with the aim of maximising the role of NSS implementation in supporting overall economic recovery.
In addition, the adoption of updated Regional Planning Guidelines in 2010 for the twelve-year period to 2022 and the new legislative provisions in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 to include core strategies in development plans, taking account of regional policies, targets and priorities, are further embedding the NSS principles into the forward-planning process, and should help to deliver more co-ordinated, coherent and sustainable planning outcomes.
It is a matter for the locally elected members of planning authorities to introduce these evidence-based core strategy provisions in new development plans and variations to existing plans in line with the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, including providing information in relation to the quantum, location and phasing of lands zoned for development over the period of the plan. It is also a matter for the elected members to ensure that local area plans are consistent with the development plan thereafter.
I expect shortly to receive a Regional Planning Guidelines Implementation Annual Report 2011 being prepared jointly by the 8 Regional Authorities in respect of their activities; these include ensuring proper oversight of the alignment of plans at national, regional and local levels. I will as necessary consider the need for any further review of the National Spatial Strategy in light of evolving economic circumstances and the beneficial deployment of our now more constrained resources.
15 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the work he is undertaking to ensure there are no more stoppages to regeneration work in an estate (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [13086/12]
The Government is fully committed to progressing the National Regeneration Programme and to improving the lives of those living in our most disadvantaged communities. This year the total funding available for the Social Housing Investment Programme will be over €390 million. Capital allocations to local authorities for 2012, will shortly be announced, including allocations to authorities in respect of their regeneration programmes.
Despite the difficult economic circumstances in which we find ourselves, we will continue to protect, to the greatest extent possible, the level of capital investment in regeneration. In that context, I am anxious to ensure that the construction of the 75 social houses and associated works on a new crèche and estate office in St. Michael's Estate is progressed to completion as quickly as possible. To this end, the necessary funding will be made available to Dublin City Council under this year's regeneration allocation.
The Building Works Contract entered into for the construction works at St. Michael's Estate is between Dublin City Council, as the Employer under the terms of the contract, and the contractor, BAM Builders Ltd. My Department is not a party to the contract and, as such, I am not directly involved. My Department's involvement is primarily concerned with the provision of the necessary capital funding to support the construction project. However, I am well aware of the challenging nature of regeneration projects due to the large number of stakeholders involved, the need to manage the relocation of a resident community and indeed the issues that can arise on brown-field sites. I am aware also of the on-site issues which resulted in the cessation of work for a two-week period at St. Michael's Estate. Both the Employer and the Contractor are bound by the terms of the contract and, where disputes arise, these must be dealt with in accordance with these terms.
I am pleased that the contractor and the City Council are working together, within the terms of the contract, to ensure this project is delivered as designed and on time. Following the recent work stoppage, and discussions between the parties, the contractor is back on site and proceeding with the works with a commitment from both parties to the contract to ensure the satisfactory completion of this project.
16 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure that local authorities that did not apply for or did not receive funding for the making safe of unfinished housing estates do not have unsafe estates remaining in their localities. [13088/12]
As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, published by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows:
Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no serious public safety issues exist;
Category two, where a receiver has been appointed;
Category three, where a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but effectively inactive; and
Category four, where the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.
Other relevant factors for the purposes of the categorisation process include, inter alia:
the state of completion of roads, footpaths, public lighting, piped water and sewerage facilities and open spaces or similar amenities within the development;
the extent to which the development complies with the terms of applicable planning permission;
the extent to which it complies with the provisions of the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007;
the provisions of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 as they pertain to dangerous places and dangerous structures within the meaning of the Act;
the extent to which facilities within the development have been taken in charge by the local authority concerned; and,
where there is an agreement regarding the maintenance of such facilities, the extent to which this agreement has been complied with.
In terms of the resolution of problems in unfinished housing developments the formulation of Site Resolution Plans (SRP) is a key tool. Such plans enable developers to work with local authorities, financial institutions, NAMA and residents in determining how best to pursue resolution of problematic sites. The process also entails working with stakeholders in identifying the best long-term solution for developments in terms of their configuration, use of vacant buildings and ownership in a way that is in the best interests of residents. As part of the work of the National Coordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments my Department has initiated a pilot project for the resolution of sites using the site resolution plan process. As part of the process my Department has issued a working template in order to establish best practice in this area. I intend that the process, which is pivotal to the resolution of problem sites, will be used more extensively in the coming year.
In addition, under the Public Safety Initiative, my Department has made allocations totalling some €2.59 million to 21 local authorities from the €5 million funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues in 2011. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites. A provision of €2m has been made for 2012 and my Department will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed.
17 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government taking into consideration the substantial population increase in County Kildare since 1996, the stage which the planned works to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare are at; when work is likely to commence on this upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13095/12]
Three contracts of the Upper Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme, Phase 3 are included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 as contracts to start within the lifetime of the Programme. The Osberstown Wastewater Treatment Plant contract, with an estimated cost of €22 million, is one of these contracts. Under this contract Kildare County Council propose to expand and upgrade the existing Osberstown Waste Water Treatment Plant from 80,000 population equivalent to 130,000 population equivalent.
Kildare County Council has submitted Contract Documents for this contract to my Department and these are under examination at present. Following consultation with the Council, additional information is to be submitted to enable my Department finalise its examination of the documents. It is anticipated that, following a tender procedure to be conducted later this year, work on this contract will commence during 2013. Contract Documents for two further contracts of the Upper Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme, Contracts No. 2A and 2B, comprising the expansion and upgrade of the sewer network and pumping stations, are being prepared by Kildare County Council for submission to my Department for approval.
18 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the amount of pension and lump sum payments made to city managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13082/12]
Article 78 of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998-2007 deals with the pension entitlements of city and county managers. Under the existing arrangements a manager is entitled to maximum pension equal to half pensionable remuneration and a maximum retirement lump sum of one and a half times pensionable remuneration. A manager may also be entitled to up to 10 added years and a severance payment of up to half annual salary. The provisions in terms of added years and severance reflect the fixed term contract nature of city and county manager posts.
My Department has examined the new pension terms for secretaries general to assess how they apply to city and county managers. The implementation of new pension terms for managers will require legislation. In this regard, I will consult with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the coming weeks before the precise details of proposed legislative amendments are finalised. While I acknowledge that a review of the existing terms is required and, as I am indicating this is at an advanced stage, I wish to acknowledge the critical role city and county managers have played in delivering savings of over €735 million and staff reductions of 7,500 — equivalent to a 20% reduction — since 2008.
In this regard, city and county managers are committed to pursuing the reform agenda intensively in 2012 and have established a dedicated Office to drive this work. In particular, the Office is co-ordinating the approach to implementation of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group recommendations including in relation to staff reductions and shared services developments.
19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his timeframe for establishing Irish Water; the anticipated job losses that may result from the shift of water services from local authorities to the new company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13231/12]
The initial transition strategy for the establishment of Irish Water as a public utility as recommended in the independent assessment envisages a staged approach involving local authorities acting as agents of Irish Water for a period with Irish Water taking over their operations on a phased basis from January 2015, and the full transfer of operations being completed by end 2017. It will ultimately be a matter for Irish Water to determine the staffing and skills required for the new organisation.
In the initial phase, Irish Water will work largely through service level agreements with local authorities. This will ensure a smooth transition to the new model and guard against the loss of local expertise. As Irish Water will be a public sector body, considerable protection will be provided by law for staff transferring to Irish Water from local authorities. These issues will be further considered in the development of an implementation plan which will address transformation planning, including human resources issues, and will be the subject of discussion with local authorities, staff and the Unions to ensure that the change is managed well.
The overall water reforms the Government has planned will create 2,000 construction related jobs in the economy on an ongoing basis. This will be achieved through the planned roll-out of a universal programme of water metering this year which will lead to the creation of up to 2,000 jobs for the three year duration of the metering installation programme. Once the metering programme has been completed, a steady level of capital investment of potentially €600 million per annum in water services, facilitated through the new public utility will see this level of construction employment sustained on an ongoing basis through capital investment in new infrastructure.
20 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review the role of An Bord Pleanála in critical infrastructure projects such as the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/12]
In general I am precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Acts, from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual planning application or appeal with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. The strategic consent process under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, which became operational from 31 January 2007, is designed to provide a streamlined, single stage consent process based on rigorous assessment of projects, including their environmental impacts.
All applications for strategic infrastructure are now assessed by the Strategic Infrastructure Division within An Bord Pleanála acting as a "one-stop shop" in respect of development consent for all major infrastructure, including large-scale health infrastructure projects. The types of project coming within the scope of these provisions was examined in the context of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010. I will keep the strategic infrastructure provisions under review with a view to ensuring that they continue to meet their intended planning and development purposes in an efficient and timely manner.
21 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money spent on a company (details supplied) thus far with regard to the review of Irish water services and anticipated future costs of consultations with private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/12]
The Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure and to manage the domestic water metering programme. The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the EU/IMF commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of such an authority.
My Department procured consultants to undertake this study through an open competition advertised on the Government's public procurement website —www.etenders.ie. As a result of this competition, a team led by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which includes legal and engineering consultants, was appointed. The full cost of the study is expected to be €107,800 excluding VAT. The first part of this study is now completed and was published in January 2012 as part of a consultation process to inform the implementation phase. A sum of €49,000 of the consultancy fee (excluding VAT) was paid in 2011 and the balance is due to be paid during 2012.
The need for further external advice as the work continues will be determined in the light of the conclusion of the final phase of the current work. Accordingly no specific allocation has been made for such work in future years, at this stage.
22 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress he has made in drafting recommendations for more comprehensive policy decisions on local government structures at regional, city, county and sub-county level, in particular town councils; and if he will make a statement on the future of town and borough councils. [13072/12]
I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 5 on today's order paper, which sets out the position in relation to local government reform, including the aspects raised in the question.
23 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a shortfall in the €160 million raised through household charges, if he will pay the balance of the €160 million to fund local authority services; and if not, the way that shortfall will be met. [13076/12]
It is estimated that there are some 1.6 million residential properties potentially liable to the household charge. As such, if collected in full, the household charge has the potential to raise €160 million annually. The household charge is framed on a self assessment basis at a point in time. It is a matter for those who own residential property liable to the charge to declare this and to pay the charge by the due date, 31 March 2012. As an incentive to pay the self assessment charge, late payment fees and late payment interest apply and any amounts due and unpaid remain as a charge against the property concerned. Such amounts will have to be discharged in the event of the sale or transfer of the property concerned.
As of 7 March 2012 a total of 200,101 properties have registered to pay the household charge. This represents some €20 million. I will be keeping the income being generated from the household charge under constant review and I and local authorities will take any necessary measures, as appropriate, in regard to compliance with the legislation.
24 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to address the housing shortage as evidenced by the 100,000 families currently on local authority waiting lists, in many cases for several years, and who currently cannot provide themselves with a home due to economic circumstances, cannot access local authority housing due to lack of provision over several years, who find themselves in a position of having to rent at prices they cannot afford if they are employed and having to seek rental support if unemployed thereby creating further problems for themselves and the Exchequer but through no fault of theirs; if he will set out specific targets and priorities to address this issue in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13097/12]
In terms of the delivery of social housing, the Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. The financial parameters within which we will have to operate in the coming years rule out a return to very large capital funded construction programmes by local authorities. Nevertheless, the Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models, such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government's objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).
25 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the issue of Providence Resources application for a foreshore licence to drill for oil and gas in Dublin Bay has been referred to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Wicklow County Council as per remarks (details supplied) in Dáil Éireann on 28 February 2012; if he will also refer it to Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council in view of the fact that this issue is one for the whole city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13101/12]
59 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the issue of Providence Resources application for a foreshore licence to drill for oil and gas in Dublin Bay has been referred to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Wicklow County Council as per remarks (details supplied) in Dáil Éireann on 28 February; if he will also refer it to Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council in view of the fact that the issue is one for the whole city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13098/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 59 together.
The consultation process on the application from Providence Resources for a foreshore licence in respect of site investigations and the drilling of an exploratory well off Dalkey included referral of the application to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Wicklow County Councils. Submissions received from these and other public bodies have been published on my Department's website. I have consulted more widely than is required under the Foreshore Act in respect of this application. However, in light of the level of public interest, the proposal was referred to Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council on 6 March 2012 specifying that they may make submissions within four weeks from that date.
26 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will give details of the cost incurred by local authorities to address the dumping of diesel sludge on motorways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6511/12]
Enforcement action in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, given the potential associated losses to the Exchequer. In carrying out their functions as competent authorities under waste legislation, local authorities have a role in taking the necessary measures to ensure that any waste generated and left abandoned by diesel launderers is safely disposed of so as to avoid endangering human health or harming the environment. As the waste involved is classified as hazardous, it is sent abroad for disposal.
Up to now, my Department has reimbursed in full, from the Environment Fund, the costs associated with such safe disposal on an exceptional and case by case basis, in recognition of the particular difficulties which arose for the local authorities concerned in responding to instances of illegal dumping of oil-laundering residues. Since 2003, a total of €4.677m has been provided for this purpose, comprising €3.254 million to Louth County Council, €1.395 million Monaghan County Council and €30,000 to Offaly County Council.
My Department participates in a Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group led by the Revenue Commissioners. While delivery of a complete solution to this problem is challenging, it must necessarily involve effective and co-ordinated enforcement of the law from both a revenue and waste management perspective and by authorities on both sides of the border.
27 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the delays in dealing with applications from local authorities for funding in respect of housing schemes which are ready to go to construction stage. [13084/12]
In October 2011, my Department wrote to local authorities seeking specific proposals for new projects to be advanced in 2012 and the following two years. Given the constraints on the public capital programme, authorities were asked to have particular regard to the size and value of proposed projects. My Department is currently reviewing the proposals received with a view to compiling a three-year capital investment programme which will take account of housing need in the relevant area, capacity to deliver the project within a reasonable timeframe and the ability to leverage additional housing supply through a combination of capital and leasing finance. I intend to announce details of the three-year programme of new works later this year.
28 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the household charge waiver for unfinished housing estates was calculated on the basis of the 2010 national housing development survey and not the more recent 2011 survey; if his attention has been drawn to the inconsistencies which are now apparent both within and between local authorities in terms of the condition of the estates qualifying for the waiver; his plans to change the methodology for applying the waiver for next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13104/12]
As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, published by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. These data, and not information collected in 2010, were used in the determination of household charge waiver eligibility.
Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows:
Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no serious public safety issues exist;
Category two, where a receiver has been appointed;
Category three, where a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but effectively inactive; and
Category four, where the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.
Other relevant factors for the purposes of the categorisation process include, inter alia:
the state of completion of roads, footpaths, public lighting, piped water and sewerage facilities and open spaces or similar amenities within the development;
the extent to which the development complies with the terms of applicable planning permission;
the extent to which it complies with the provisions of the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007;
the provisions of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 as they pertain to dangerous places and dangerous structures within the meaning of the Act;
the extent to which facilities within the development have been taken in charge by the local authority concerned; and,
where there is an agreement regarding the maintenance of such facilities, the extent to which this agreement has been complied with.
This categorisation formed the basis for the list of those unfinished developments eligible for a waiver on the annual household charge. Only households in developments in categories three and four are eligible for the waiver from payment of the household charge. This list of developments in which households are eligible for the waiver in 2012 is set out under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 and forms the complete and final list of such developments for this year. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 does not provide for an appeals facility in this regard. A revised list of estates will be prescribed for 2013 after which time the waiver for unfinished housing developments will end. Throughout this period it is anticipated that the numbers of categories 3 and 4 developments will decrease as my Department continues to work with local authorities and other stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues, including through the Public Safety Initiative.
30 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the public tender requirement still applies for works on unfinished housing estates funded from the €5 million allocated to complete estates; if so, if there is scope to relax some of the planning requirements in cases in which the builder is still available and on site and when local authorities consider using the existing builder more efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13105/12]
Department of Finance Public Procurement Guidelines require that all contracts of €5,000 or above be awarded on the basis of responses to specifications sent by fax or email to at least three suppliers or service providers. Under the Public Safety Initiative, my Department has approved applications to fund, inter alia, the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites in Category 4 developments. Category 4 developments are, by definition, those where the development has been abandoned by the developer and is posing serious problems for residents. The possibility, therefore, of employing the original developer to carry out works under the public safety initiative does not arise.
31 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if inspectors from his Department inspected the Priory Hall complex, Dublin, in 2006 and reported concerns about serious fire safety and building control issues; if he will set out the action, if any, taken at the time; and the reason, if his Department was aware of these concerns, persons were allowed to move into and remain in the apartments until November 2011. [13085/12]
53 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on when all outstanding rehousing, financial and legal issues for Priory Hall residents in the north fringe, Dublin 13, will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12930/12]
124 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if inspectors from his Department inspected the Priory Hall complex in 2006 and reported concerns regarding serious fire safety and building control issues; if he will set out the action, if any, that was taken at the time, and the reason, if the Department knew of these concerns, persons were allowed to move into and remain in the apartments until November 2011. [13449/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 53 and 124 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No 162 of 1 March 2012 which sets out the position in relation to the inspections undertaken by the Housing Inspectorate of my Department following an application by the developer of the Priory Hall complex for Floor Area Compliance Certificates (FACCs) as introduced by section 72 of the 2004 Finance Act.
In late 2008, following a complaint to Dublin Fire Brigade, Dublin City Council became concerned about fire safety issues more generally at Priory Hall and came to regard the buildings as potentially dangerous. Several attempts to have the developer address fire safety concerns were unsuccessful and on 3 December 2009 Dublin City Council delivered a letter by hand to each occupied apartment advising them that Fire Safety Notices had been served on the developer which prohibited the use of the buildings until such time as works specified in the Fire Safety Notices had been completed. Dublin City Council made arrangements at that time to relocate the occupants of 30 units comprised of 16 social housing units, seven units occupied under the rental accommodation scheme and seven units of accommodation managed by St. Michael's House.
The Housing Department of Dublin City Council subsequently engaged consultant engineers to carry out a detailed investigation of the buildings which identified further and more serious concerns than had been uncovered by any previous inspection. Since that time the local authority has used the statutory powers available to it to pursue compliance with planning permission conditions and with fire safety and building standards requirements, all of which are at issue in relation to Priory Hall. Failure by the developer to honour court undertakings to remedy fire safety defects led to the latest High Court proceedings.
The legal proceedings in relation to Priory Hall are continuing and it would be inappropriate to anticipate their conclusion. The overriding priority is to ensure the optimum outcome for the households concerned and to facilitate as early as possible a return to their homes. In this respect it will be necessary to ensure that these homes are made fit for purpose and that the costs of so doing fall where they should. I have asked Dublin City Council to do all within its powers to achieve this objective and have asked my Department to continue to liaise closely with Dublin City Council in this regard.
32 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review building regulations to ensure all future builds are accessible to persons with mobility issues. [13091/12]
The Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010 and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M — Access and Use make provision for the access and use of buildings by people with, inter alia, mobility issues. The revised regulations, which came into effect on 1 January 2012, followed a comprehensive review of Part M requirements by my Department working in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB). In the case of new dwellings (which, since 2001, must be visitable by people with disabilities) there are new requirements in respect of approaches to a dwelling and the widths of internal doors.
In the case of buildings other than dwellings, in broad terms, the latest regulations require that all new buildings should be designed and constructed so that people with a range of disabilities can safely and independently approach and gain access to a building, circulate within it and use the relevant facilities within it. The regulations also apply to the approach and access to, and sanitary facilities in, existing buildings when extended or subject to a material alteration or a material change of use.
Building Regulations are subject to ongoing review by my Department working in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Body. All proposed changes to the Building Regulations are subject to a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment and a detailed public consultation process prior to their being signed into law.
33 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to encourage local authorities to use land banks they have procured to provide social housing. [13083/12]
In terms of the delivery of social housing, the Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. The financial parameters within which we will have to operate in the coming years rule out a return to very large capital funded construction programmes by local authorities, even in circumstances where suitable land is in the ownership of those authorities. Nevertheless, the Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease, which could involve the utilisation of existing local authority sites, and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government's objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).
34 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline county by county the draw down of funds for the making safe of unfinished estates; and the works these funds were used for. [13087/12]
42 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make allowances for the financial implications for the relevant local authority of taking unfinished housing estates in charge. [13077/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 42 together.
Under the Public Safety Initiative, my Department has made allocations totalling some €2.59 million to 21 local authorities from the €5 million funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues in unfinished housing developments in 2011. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites beyond those carried out during the normal taking in charge process. A provision of €2m has been made for 2012 and my Department will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed.
A county breakdown of the funding drawn down under the public safety initiative is set out in the table:
|
Local Authority |
Amount paid |
|
Carlow County Council |
94,456.40 |
|
Cavan County Council |
106,201.98 |
|
Clare County Council |
18,123.68 |
|
Cork City Council |
0.00 |
|
Cork County Council |
131,045.25 |
|
Donegal County Council |
0.00 |
|
Dublin City Council |
0.00 |
|
Fingal County Council |
0.00 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
0.00 |
|
D.L.R. County Council |
0.00 |
|
Galway City Council |
0.00 |
|
Galway County Council |
30,262.00 |
|
Kerry County Council |
0.00 |
|
Kildare County Council |
0.00 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
41,096.30 |
|
Laois County Council |
86,579.86 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
16,500.00 |
|
Limerick City Council |
0.00 |
|
Limerick County Council |
105,636.01 |
|
Longford County Council |
295,276.50 |
|
Louth County Council |
40,076.73 |
|
Mayo County Council |
10,981.13 |
|
Meath County Council |
0.00 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
31,182.83 |
|
Offaly County Council |
54,086.28 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
75,618.15 |
|
Sligo County Council |
68,262.48 |
|
Nth Tipperary County Council |
0.00 |
|
Sth Tipperary County Council |
46,805.36 |
|
Waterford City Council |
0.00 |
|
Waterford County Council |
21,000.00 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
29,764.95 |
|
Wexford County Council |
180,999.78 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
0.00 |
|
Total |
1,483,955.676 |
35 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funds that have been drawn down from the World Bank carbon funds for the years 2010, 2011 and for the first two months of 2012; his views that it will be necessary to draw down further funds for the rest of 2012; and if so, the amount of same. [13079/12]
Ireland does not draw down funds from the World Bank carbon funds. In January 2007, the Government entered into an agreement with the World Bank to invest €20 million in two of its carbon funds; €10m each in the Carbon Fund for Europe and the BioCarbon Fund. Payments on foot of this investment are handled by the National Treasury Management Agency, on behalf of my Department, under the Carbon Fund Act 2007. Actual payments to the World Bank in 2010 and 2011 were €1,405,838 and €1,903,632 respectively. No payments to the Bank were made in the first two months of 2012.
36 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to help the thousands of home owners whose houses are damaged due to non-compliance with building regulations during 15 years of self-regulation of the building industry. [13234/12]
54 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 166 to 168, inclusive, on 2 February 2012 and his response regarding measures advanced by his Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with and oversight of the requirements of the building regulations in the future, his plans to deal with the existing breaches of building regulations including fire safety regulations. [13107/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 54 together.
The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2007 set out a clear statutory framework for construction activity based on:
clear legal standards as set out in the Building Regulations;
detailed Technical Guidance Documents to outline how these standards can be achieved in practice;
the burden and responsibility for compliance resting first and foremost with developers/builders;
a statutory responsibility for professionals who are engaged by developers to ensure that construction at least meets the legal minimum standards; and
the responsibility for enforcing compliance with the building regulations resting with the 37 local building control authorities.
Where a contract exists between the owner of a building (including a local authority in the case of certain publicly owned buildings) and the relevant builder/developer enforcement may also be a civil matter.
Local authorities already have extensive powers under the Building Control Acts which they can use to enforce compliance with the Building Regulations. However, there is a time limit of five years after a building has been completed during which an enforcement notice may be served by a local building control authority. The case at Priory Hall demonstrates Dublin City Council's use of its powers to enforce compliance with fire regulations. Other local authorities have also used the courts to effect compliance with planning permissions, building regulations and fire regulations, all of which are critically relevant to the quality of the built environment. Results can also be achieved, and often are, through discussion and persuasion with the threat of legal action.
Clearly, however, there are steps that can and must be taken to improve compliance with, and oversight and enforcement of, the Building Regulations. That is why in July 2011 I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities and which include:
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;
(b) the lodgement of drawings at both commencement and completion of construction, demonstrating how the building has been designed and built to comply with all parts of the Building Regulations;
(c) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective oversight of building activity;
(d) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;
(e) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.
Mandatory certification, lodgement of drawings and improved inspection arrangements as outlined above are key reforms which, I believe, will have the capacity to improve the quality of buildings and will lead to further strengthening of the regulatory regime as early as possible in 2012. Professionals who are engaged by developers will be required to ensure that construction at least meets the legal minimum standards and there is an urgent need for the construction professions to deliver high standards and professionalism in the construction field.
37 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are different criteria and standards for fire certificates for new and existing buildings depending on the local authority in which the application is made and in some local authorities this is facilitating the use of revoked standards and guidelines; and if he is satisfied that this is the current situation and should new legislation be considered in view of this. [12923/12]
Part B of the Building Regulations sets out the legal requirements in relation to fire safety in respect of new buildings and in respect of existing buildings undergoing works involving an extension, material alteration or material change of use. The Part B requirements represent a national statutory minimum standard of fire safety provision and there is no question of variance in the legal requirement as between local authorities.
A Fire Safety Certificate is currently required before relevant construction work commences on new or existing buildings and apartment blocks. The Fire Safety Certificate is issued by the relevant Building Control Authority and certifies that the works or building, if constructed in accordance with the plans and documentation submitted, will comply with the requirements of Part B. My Department has published technical guidance documents to assist those involved in the design and construction of buildings with regard to compliance with the Building Regulations. In the case of fire safety, where works are carried out in accordance with the national guidance provided in Technical Guidance Document (TGD) B — Fire Safety (2006), this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations.
Where the TGD B 2006 includes a reference to a technical specification the reference is to the latest edition current at the time of the publication of TGD B. However, if that version of the technical specification is subsequently revised or updated by the issuing body, the new version may be used as a source of guidance provided that it continues to address the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. It is also open to designers to use alternative approaches, premised on the use of fire safety engineering principles, to meet fire safety requirements provided compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations can be demonstrated.
The Building Regulations are subject to continuous review and improvement in the light of ongoing technical progress and developments within the construction industry. In this context, my Department has begun a review of TGD B. The review of Part B will be subject to a Regulatory Impact Assessment and will be informed by a full public consultation process before any final decisions in the matter are made.
38 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to appraise the effectiveness of the use of the fund for making safe unfinished estates; and if any further funding or measures are required. [13089/12]
Under the Public Safety Initiative my Department has made allocations totalling some €2.59 million to 21 local authorities from the €5 million funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues in 2011. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting, and other works to secure sites. A provision of €2m has been made for 2012 and my Department will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed.
This is part of the overall national effort that I am co-ordinating through the work of the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments. This Committee oversees implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. It includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector. The Committee is meeting on a regular basis with the aim of publishing a report on progress achieved within the next 12 months. That report will include an analysis of the way in which the funding provided under the public safety initiative has been applied.
39 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will continue for the remediation of the landfill site at Kerdiffstown, County Kildare; the future plans for this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13094/12]
In 2011, I provided a total of €5.56m in funding towards the costs arising in responding to the situation which arose at the Kerdiffstown landfill. Of this, €1.56m was paid to Kildare County Council in respect of the costs incurred in extinguishing the sub-surface fire which had developed at the site. Following the completion of the fire fighting activity on 25 February 2011, the fire services passed control of the site to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is now using powers under the Waste Management Acts to remediate the site and to put in place appropriate aftercare measures. A total of €4m was paid from the Environment Fund to the EPA in 2011 to assist in this task.
Remedial works are continuing at the site as part of a process that will take a number of years to complete. Activity in 2012 will involve a detailed site investigation, followed by detailed design of the full remediation works programme. I have made provision for €2.8m from the Environment Fund to support these activities in 2012. It is not possible at this point to quantify precisely the further funding requirements that will arise, as the costs involved will depend on a range of factors, including the quantities of waste, the approach to remediation required and the results of tendering processes.
40 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the development of the social housing stock owned by the State over the course of 2012. [13081/12]
Given the constraints on new local authority housing supply, it is important that the existing stock of local authority housing is available and in fit condition to meet housing need. Under the Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures aimed at improving the quality and standard of local authority social housing stock, ranging from large-scale regeneration and estate-wide improvement works to the retrofitting and refurbishment of individual vacant and occupied units. My Department also provides capital funding to local authorities to assist with the provision of necessary adaptations and extensions to their properties to meet the needs of tenants with a disability.
In order to better understand the quality and distribution of the national social housing stock and to facilitate the planning of sound and robust improvement works programmes, my Department, in conjunction with the local authorities, is undertaking an audit of the 130,000 social housing units. This will provide a comprehensive database to inform future targeted interventions aimed at improving the stock. Last year alone my Department provided over €181 million for the various measures under the improvement works programme. This year, the total funding available for the housing capital investment programme will be over €390 million. I envisage making announcements shortly in relation to budgets or allocations for the various housing programmes, including the improvement works programme.
41 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Aarhaus Convention will be brought into Irish law; if he will consider putting on hold all major projects until the convention is brought into Irish law, in view of the fact that this convention radically changes the environment under which citizens can contribute to debates on such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12926/12]
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to complete ratification of the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. The three pillars of the Convention are partially implemented in EU law by two Directives. The first of these deals with public access to environmental information and was transposed into Irish law through the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.
The second, known as the Public Participation Directive, deals with public participation in decision making and access to justice. Several pieces of legislation have been used to transpose the Public Participation Directive into law. The most recent is the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, which introduced new cost rules that apply in certain environmental court cases; this Act also implements certain aspects of the Convention that are not implemented by EU Directives.
Prior to the ratification of any convention of this nature, Ireland must ensure that its provisions are implemented in national law, a task which has been ongoing for a number of years in relation to the Aarhus Convention. My Department is currently carrying out a final assessment of all implementation measures, which are already in place, in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to ratifying the Convention as soon as possible. I do not therefore propose to delay any project pending formal ratification.
43 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of dedicated building control inspectors that have been employed in the State and separately in Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Cork, Galway and Limerick City Councils in each year since 1997. [13106/12]
The information sought is not available in my Department. Decisions in relation to the appropriate levels of staffing for building control purposes are a matter for each County and City Manager who, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for each County and City Manager, in the first instance, to ensure that staffing levels are managed so that the appropriate service level is maintained. Numbers assigned to building control duties vary depending on the size of the authority and the volume of construction activity; in addition, local authority fire services are involved in the administration of building regulations.
44 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a detailed update on the progress made in implementing the recommendations made in the July 2010 report by the local government efficiency review group, particularly in the establishment on a regional basis of a single building inspectorate service to streamline the approach to the inspection of property. [13074/12]
The recommendations contained in the Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group provide important input to consideration of options for expenditure reduction, revenue raising, efficiency and other policy developments. I established an independently chaired Implementation Group, in April 2011, to drive forward relevant recommendations of the Report, with a focus on key recommendations that will remove costs and yield early savings. The Group has met on eleven occasions since June 2011, and its overall work programme is progressing. It has recently completed an interim report, which I have asked it to develop further, and I expect to receive its finalised report shortly.
With regard to the establishment on a regional basis of a single building inspectorate service, I announced, in July 2011, a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view strengthening the arrangements in place for enforcing compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. In broad terms these measures will involve:
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;
(b) the lodgement of drawings at both commencement and completion of construction, demonstrating how the building has been designed and built to comply with all parts of the Building Regulations;
(c) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity;
(d) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;
(e) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.
The matter is therefore being progressed in the context of the above-mentioned actions being taken at Department and at Local Authority levels to further the development of the Building Control function.
46 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that following a meeting with DNCC chief fire officer in April 2011, that the Dublin City Council fire prevention officer inspected an apartment in the Belmayne development, Dublin, and three other apartments, in which the construction was opened up because of concerns regarding failure to comply with building regulations regarding sound transmission and fire safety; that the fire prevention officer reported at this time Dublin Fire Brigade did not recommend any further action in relation to the Belmayne development; that the DNCC chief officer notified the owner of one of the apartments that there are no issues in Belmayne due to the fire prevention officer’s report; that an insurance company confirmed then that it would not insure the properties in their current state; that the developer asserted based on the DNCC report that the buildings complied with building regulations and refused apartment owners’ requests for remedial works to make them safe; that opening up inspections in another apartment in the same development in January 2012 revealed the same and additional non-compliance with fire safety building regulations and that a second insurance company withdrew cover; and his views that the DNCC fire officer misinformed the Minister with responsibility for housing in relation to the extent of non-compliance with fire safety regulations in the Belmayne development and in relation to the developer’s performance. [13233/12]
58 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the actions being taken by Dublin City Council and the Dublin fire chief to immediately address and resolve the alleged fire safety breaches that have come to light in homes in the Belmayne estate in the north fringe in Dublin 13 and to ensure the safety of householders in the Belmayne area; if he will report on when the city manager and fire chief were first informed of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12929/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 58 together.
On 6 July 2011 a report was prepared for the Chief Fire Officer of the Dublin region outlining the position in relation to fire safety inspections carried out between April and July 2011 on a number of units in the Belmayne development. These inspections were carried out in the presence of the owners and their technical advisers and were in the main visual inspections although in a number of units some construction had been opened up. At a number of locations the construction had been opened to address acoustic problems whereas the objective of the inspections was to establish the extent of compliance with the relevant fire safety certificates.
The report indicates that, having regard to the visual inspections, the means of escape layout and fire protection facilities (in terms of mains-powered fire detection and alarm systems) were in compliance with the relevant fire safety certificate as issued by the Building Control authority. While the inspection was limited in terms of the actual construction that could be accessed, the officer reported that the exposed construction was in compliance with the Irish Agrément Board Certificate issued in respect of the proprietary timber-frame construction system in use. The report also indicates that the fire authority followed up with the developer, the designers and the specific timber-frame construction company and that they received documentation showing a continuous audit trail during the construction phase of the Belmayne site. The report concludes with a statement indicating that the fire authority did not at that time recommend any further action in relation to the Belmayne development. The report of the fire authority was communicated in a clear and open manner to the residents of the units concerned.
However, on 19 January 2012 it is understood that Dublin City Council, through Dublin Fire Brigade, was notified by the developer of a construction defect in some properties at the Belmayne Housing Complex. The developer, acting responsibly, in consultation with his Fire Engineer consulted the local authority and undertook to carry out remedial works to all affected properties. The Fire Officer carried out an inspection and determined that the defects now identified raised additional and more serious concerns than had been uncovered by any previous inspection and that remedial action was necessary and timely. Having regard to a number of alternative fire safety controls within the complex which are all functioning and subject to a regular maintenance programme the Fire Officer was satisfied that evacuation was not called for.
Dublin City Council and the Fire Consultants for the developer have agreed on the necessary remedial works — this will involve inserting fire-proof board to seal a 75mm gap in the voids above ceilings and the removal of service ducts to be rebuilt with full fire-proof construction. Further inspections were carried out on a number of vacant units after which the Fire Officer was satisfied that the remedial works proposed will remedy the defect. A project manager has been assigned to oversee the works with the assistance of two Superintendent Inspectors (Clerks of Works). Works on all the affected apartments are expected to be completed within three months.
The responsible parties in this case are facing up to their obligations in carrying out remediation works and bearing that cost together with the costs of relocating residents. This is clearly not a similar situation to Priory Hall. I am satisfied that the question of Dublin City Council including Dublin Fire Brigade having misinformed the Department in relation to this matter does not arise. My Department will continue to liaise closely with Dublin City Council in relation to the evolving situation at Belmayne.
47 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered taking all suitable National Asset Management Agency houses and apartments into public ownership for social housing in view of the fact that these properties have already been paid for by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13100/12]
The properties under consideration for social housing purposes are part of the security for loans that NAMA has acquired. In the majority of cases, properties remain in the ownership of the original borrowers. The remaining properties are controlled by receivers appointed by NAMA. NAMA's commercial and legal obligations preclude the provision of properties free of charge for social housing purposes. NAMA is, however, committed to ensuring that provision is made for social housing and that mixed developments are encouraged.
The units being advanced through NAMA will, in general, be provided through the social housing leasing initiative under the standard terms and conditions that apply in that scheme. A local authority will have the option of leasing the properties directly from the relevant borrower or receiver. Alternatively, an approved housing body may secure the properties through direct leasing or, in some cases, by purchasing using private or HFA finance and leasing them back to the State.
48 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 43% of those on local authority housing waiting lists are concentrated in the areas of Dublin city, south Dublin, Cork city, Cork county, Fingal and Kildare; his views that there is a real crisis in some parts of the country which demonstrates the need for more targeted solutions; the targeted measures he proposes to help reduce numbers waiting in the aforementioned areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13235/12]
In terms of the delivery of social housing, the Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. These needs reflect a range of factors including population densities in the larger urban areas. The financial parameters within which we will have to operate in the coming years rule out a return to very large capital funded construction programmes by local authorities. Nevertheless, the Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models, such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government's objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).
49 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the degree to which overflows from municipal waste water treatment systems, septic tanks or other sources continue to pollute the groundwater on an ongoing basis; the degree to which this has increased over the past ten years; if any measurement has been carried out as to the deterioration in the quality of groundwater with particular reference to the presence of E. coli or other serious pollutants; the extent to which this has already impacted on water quality in general; if a time has been identified in the event of a lack of corrective action whereby water supplies from wells or other similar private sources are likely to become contaminated beyond safety levels; the steps he has put in place or intends to put in place to address any health issues arising with particular reference to the prevention of any recurrence such as the major pollution of Lough Corrib in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13096/12]
138 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is expected that measures to prevent contamination of groundwater sources are likely to be in place and have a positive impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13385/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 138 together.
The implementation of the Water Framework Directive requires the extensive monitoring of groundwater quality and the inclusion of programmes of measures in each river basin management plan to ensure continuing improvement in the quality of groundwater. In transposing the Directive, the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations 2010 give legal effect to measures for the protection of groundwater.
The Water Framework Directive classification assessments have identified that the main pressures impacting on groundwater quality include the input of nutrients from diffuse sources and, to a lesser degree, historical pollution from industrial activities. Local pollution is considered to be caused primarily by farming activities and the inputs from domestic wastewater treatment systems. Pollution from agricultural sources has been targeted through significant investment by farmers and the State under the Farm Waste Management Scheme and by the implementation of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. Pollution from domestic waste water systems is being addressed by the requirements of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.
Ongoing monitoring of groundwater quality is carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency. The monitoring includes substances such as ammonium, nitrate and phosphate as well as faecal coliforms and pesticides. In the report Water Quality in Ireland 2007-2009, the EPA found that overall, in comparison to previous reporting periods, pollution of groundwater was found to have decreased somewhat over the period, with reductions in nitrate and phosphate concentrations. Regarding faecal coliforms, there has been a decrease in the proportion of samples with detections since the 1998-2000 reporting period; however, this proportion has been increasing slowly since.
The Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007-2010 provide for an authorisation system for all wastewater discharges to waters from treatment plants or collection systems owned or controlled by local authorities. The purpose of the authorisation system is to prevent and reduce pollution of waters by waste water discharges. As part of the authorisation process, the EPA can place conditions on the operation of individual plants and systems and it can set emission limit values for the discharges. In December 2011, the EPA published guidance on the technical assessments that are needed to authorise discharges to groundwater, as a means of satisfying the requirements of the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010.
Over €5.5 billion in Exchequer resources has been invested between 2000 and 2011 in water services infrastructure. In the same period, 341 waste water treatment schemes and contracts have been completed. This has led to an increase in treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of population of almost 3.9 million. Ireland is currently about 93% compliant with the 2005 deadline of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requiring secondary treatment for discharges from agglomerations above certain specified size thresholds, compared with 25% in 2000. Current investment plans under the Water Services Investment Plans 2010-2012 will see necessary infrastructure for secondary treatment in larger agglomerations in place by 2015.
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 has been introduced to address a European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland in October 2009 regarding domestic waste water treatment systems. I anticipate that the implementation of the new registration and inspection system will also contribute to improvements in water quality.
50 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has met with the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to discuss the strategy for dealing with youth homelessness. [13092/12]
Statutory responsibility for a youth homelessness strategy rests with my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, while the Health Service Executive (HSE) leads on its implementation. In May 2011 and again in December 2011 my Department was represented at meetings arranged by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs with a range of interested bodies and service providers at which the current Youth Homeless Strategy was discussed. The various service providers present updated the Department of Children and Youth Affairs regarding the services under their remit in order to inform that Department in terms of their approach to updating or reviewing the Youth Homeless Strategy.
My Department understands that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has now engaged the Centre for Effective Services to undertake a high level review of the Youth Homelessness Strategy as a basis for the development of a framework to address youth homelessness over the next 5 years. My Department will continue to engage as required in respect of any assistance we can offer the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in the development of that framework.
51 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he is safeguarding the future of marginalised and vulnerable communities in view of the number of persons employed in the community sector, delivering essential services, which has fallen from 53,098 in 2008 to 48,320 in 2011 and is set to fall to 41,948 in 2013 and 36,638 in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13099/12]
57 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has carried out an analysis of the effects on jobs, unemployment, services and poverty of the cuts experienced by the community sector since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13080/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 57 together.
We are facing challenging economic times in all areas, including in the community and voluntary sector. There has never been a greater need for us to do more with less. A key principle underlying my Department's activities is that of enabling communities themselves to identify and address social and economic needs and problems in their own areas. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat, and an adherence to the values of local participation. My Department is responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising.
The Local and Community Development Programme tackles poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities. LCDP is a key tool of Government in providing employment supports, training, personal development/capacity building and other supports for the harder to reach in the most disadvantaged areas in society. It is a locally accessible, frontline intervention, supporting disadvantaged communities. As part of the Programme's overall goals, LCDP supports individuals into employment and self-employment through education, training, work experience, job placement, enterprise and the social economy in both urban and rural areas.
The 2012 allocation for the LCDP is €54.884 million, which represents a reduction of some €8m on the funding available in 2011. However, every effort was made to protect the viability of smaller companies. This is reflected in the lower than average budget reduction of 10% that was applied to these groups. Despite this reduction, I am confident that the budget allocation will allow for the continuation of important supports for people in disadvantaged communities and will allow for the key, essential, front-line services delivered through the Programme to be maintained for 2012. The adjustment to the Programme has been structured to protect front-line services and supports at the expense of administration, overheads and ancillary costs. The annual planning process is currently underway in the Local Development Companies. I have not been made aware of any services that will cease as a result of the allocations.
The Government's commitment to enabling rural communities to become self sufficient has been reaffirmed this year through the increased funding provided to Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER Axes) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP). The RDP's allocation has increased by €34 million this year to a total allocation of €96 million. The LEADER approach ensures that communities are involved and have a say in their own development choices, thereby reinforcing the sustainability of the interventions funded using this approach. This increased financial allocation is also accompanied by a commitment to ensure that funding delivered through the RDP is efficient, effective and presents good value for money in the current economic climate. This Programme continues to offer significant financial resources to rural communities all over Ireland.
At a national level, in 2012 my Department commenced a two and half year scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. This Scheme provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs, salary and related overheads, associated with the provision of services. Priority is given under this scheme to supporting national organisations which provide coalface services to disadvantaged target groups. In 2012 €4m has been allocated to 64 organisations.
Last year, I also re-convened the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising. The Forum's view is that the opportunity exists substantially to increase the level of private sector investment in the community and voluntary sector by creating a favourable environment for individual and corporate philanthropy in Ireland, and developing fundraising capacity. Increased investment in the sector will generate increased employment in local communities, build social capital and support the movement for national renewal.
The Forum has set out a target to increase philanthropic giving by ten percent year on year in Ireland from its current level of approximately €500m per annum to €800m by 2016. This increased investment in the sector can and should contribute to economic recovery as well as play a significant social role in the community.
My Department continues to provide funding and support to the community and voluntary sector and although, in some areas, we have had to reduce the level of funding provided I believe that these initiatives and programmes combined will continue to enable communities to identify and address their own social and economic needs, and allow them to work together to create vibrant and strong communities in Ireland.
52 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to amend the law in relation to bonds associated with construction; if an analysis has been done across the local government sector about the number of bonds that have lapsed; the number of bonds that have limited terms and the developer is in liquidation or receivership; the financial extent of bonds that were issued in perpetuity by Anglo Irish Bank in which the developments remain incomplete and the developer is no longer viable; who will pick up the liability for these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13093/12]
I am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The Committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector. The Committee is meeting on a regular basis with the aim of publishing a report on progress achieved within the next 12 months. In the meantime, work is ongoing on implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group and real progress is already being made with regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates.
While planning authorities are making progress in securing the co-operation of developers, financial institutions and/or bond holders, thereby obviating the need to use Exchequer resources to fund such work the ongoing work of the Committee includes an assessment of the framework for the operation of bonds. This is taking account of existing legislative provisions, statutory guidance and practical experience in the operation of bonds in order to determine what further policy advice and action are necessary in this regard. The specific information sought in relation to the number or values of bonds of particular types is not available to my Department.
55 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria used to cut the funding for those social inclusion projects, including an organisation (details supplied). [13078/12]
As part of the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the 2012 estimates process, difficult decisions have had to be taken in relation to prioritising funding for core services in all programme areas. The provisional funding estimate to support the mainstreamed drugs projects under my Department's Housing programme for 2012 was €100,000, compared with €400,000 in 2011. In view of this, my Department informed the relevant local authorities, Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council, that it would not be possible to continue funding the relevant projects concerned throughout 2012. Pro rata funding would be provided for the first quarter of 2012 only, while a consultation process was pursued between the projects, the Councils and other bodies to explore alternative funding mechanisms for the projects for 2012 and beyond.
In the interim, and having regard to difficulties identified by the Councils, the projects and other funding partners in ensuring that the relevant drugs projects have sufficient time to identify alternative streams of funding and/or to undertake a reconfiguration of project tasks and priorities, my Department has also agreed to provide additional pro rata funding to support the projects for the second quarter of 2012, i.e. to 30 June 2012, through a transfer of €100,000 within the provisional housing programme estimate for 2012.
This funding is being provided strictly on a once off basis and on the clear understanding that it represents an extension of the transitional arrangement only, thereby providing projects with sufficient time to undertake a fully comprehensive consultation to identify future alternative funding mechanisms. It will be a matter for all the public funding bodies, as part of the consultation process, to identify resources to deliver on the overall objectives of the reconfigured projects beyond end June 2012.
Furthermore, in the context of a public funding provision of €260 million for drugs programmes across all Departments and agencies in 2011, my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy is currently undertaking a review of the structures that underpin the National Drugs Strategy at local, regional and national level, including how the current funding structures can be improved or streamlined, particularly in relation to local and regional drugs task forces.
56 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the standard application for social housing need. [13090/12]
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, made under Sections 3, 20 and 32 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, prescribe the form that must be used in applying for social housing support. In general terms I am satisfied with the existing form but amendments may be considered as part of an ongoing review of the housing needs provisions.
60 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13311/12]
There are no State agencies, and consequently no State boards, under the aegis of my Department
61 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if other embassies, instead of the Vatican and Italy, could be co-located such as the three in Brussels, the two in Vienna and the two in Northern Ireland, Armagh and Belfast, to bring about even greater savings in view of the fact that the Vatican and Italy are two distinct states and the Villa Spada is a historic building bought and paid for by the Irish people for the purposes of housing a resident ambassador to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13426/12]
The decision to close Ireland's Embassy to the Holy See, along with the Embassy to Iran and the Irish Development Office in Timor Leste, was made following a comprehensive review of the Mission network and against a background of the need by my Department to reduce its expenditure in the current difficult economic climate. The Government will continue to review our network of diplomatic missions to ensure that it most efficiently and effectively meets Ireland's needs, consistent with the resources available, including further co-location of Missions, where this may be feasible.
I can confirm that the Irish Embassy to Austria and the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the OSCE are already co-located in Vienna. In Belgium, the office of the Permanent Representative to the EU, the Deputy Permanent Representative and the Ambassador to the Political and Security Committee are also co-located. In addition, the roles of Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Delegation to Partnership for Peace are carried out by the same diplomatic officer.
The two offices situated in Northern Ireland perform distinct roles and in both cases are joint institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement; with the British Government in the case of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Belfast and with the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the case of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh.
In line with the priority my Department attaches to the promotion of Ireland's economic interests abroad, a large number of Missions overseas participate in an ‘Ireland House' arrangement where offices of State Agencies are co-located with Irish Embassies and Consulates. As well as bolstering our effectiveness of promoting trade and investment, these co-location arrangements facilitate co-operation and are cost-effective in terms of managing our scarce resources overseas.
62 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on whether the numbers of lone parents who were taken out of the net for the universal social charge in budget 2012 is available to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13278/12]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the increase in the lower exemption limit for the Universal Social Charge I announced in the last Budget. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as lone parents who qualify for that increase are not distinguished from other payers of the Universal Social Charge it is not possible to provide a precise estimate of the numbers so qualifying. However, on the basis of available indicative data, it is tentatively estimated that the numbers of lone parents benefiting from the new exemption limit is of the order of 15,000.
63 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify a matter regarding the European Stability Mechanism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13357/12]
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Treaty, was signed by Euro Area Member States on 2 February 2012. The original version of the Treaty was signed on 11 July 2011, but it has been modified to incorporate decisions taken by the Heads of State or Government (HoSG) of the Euro Area on 21 July and 9 December 2011, aimed at improving the effectiveness of the mechanism.
The ESM Treaty as signed does not have any requirements specifying the method of national ratification. This is a matter for each Member State. My understanding is that the ESM Treaty will enter into force as soon as Member States representing 90% of the capital commitments have ratified it. The ESM will become operational as soon as possible and a target date of July 2012 has been set, which is a year earlier than originally planned. Primary legislation will be required to enable Ireland to ratify the ESM Treaty and implement its provisions. It is expected that the required legislation will be published this term.
64 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reports that the two pillar banks are approving loans but later imposing conditions so strict and so unreasonable as to prevent drawdown; if he will clarify if banks’ claims of compliance with the €3 billion target is based on loans approved or on those actually drawn down. [13272/12]
As the Deputy is aware, the Government has imposed lending targets on the two domestic pillar banks for the three calendar years, 2011 to 2013. Both banks were required to sanction lending of at least €3 billion in 2011, €3.5 billion this year and €4 billion in 2013 for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs. I can confirm to the Deputy that both banks have achieved their 2011 targets.
I should stress that the targets are for approvals of credit, targets have not been imposed for drawdowns. I would point out that the drawdown of funding is at the discretion of the borrower. There are many factors affecting whether or not funding is drawn down, such as changes in market conditions or company restructuring. The recent Mazars Survey of SME Lending, conducted on behalf of my Department, found that the most frequently cited reason for not availing of approved credit was "not needed at present time".
In terms of the banks imposing strict conditions on loans, if a borrower believes that a bank has attached terms and conditions to a loan such that the loan cannot be accepted, all borrowers have the right to appeal through the bank's internal loan appeals process and this is the first step that should be taken. If the appeal to the bank is unsuccessful, the Credit Review Office (CRO) will review that decision and make an independent recommendation on the refusal. It is worth noting that, of the appeals made to the office, in approximately half of cases the CRO has recommended that the credit should in fact be granted and I would encourage SMEs that feel they have been unfairly treated to use the services of the CRO.
65 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland will have financial obligations under the euro area loan facility if ratified by all member states of the EU irrespective of the outcome of the forthcoming referendum on the fiscal compact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13293/12]
66 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland will be able to access funds from the euro loan area facility in the event of the electorate rejecting the proposition in the forthcoming referendum on the fiscal compact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13294/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the European Stability Mechanism. The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Treaty was signed by Euro Area Member States on 2 February 2012. The original version of the treaty was signed on 11 July 2011, but it has been modified to incorporate decisions taken by the Heads of State or Government (HoSG) of the Euro Area on 21 July and 9 December 2011, aimed at improving the effectiveness of the mechanism.
The ESM treaty will enter into force as soon as Member States representing 90% of the capital commitments have ratified it. The Treaty provides that the ESM will have total capital of €700 billion composed of €80 billion of paid in capital with the remaining €620 billion as callable capital. Ireland's share of the paid in capital is 1.592% which requires an actual amount of €1.27 billion, payable in installments starting in July 2012. This contribution is payable by all ESM members. Membership of ESM requires ratification of the ESM Treaty. Primary legislation will be required to ratify it, and the ESM will become operational as soon as possible and a target date of July 2012 has been set, which is a year earlier than originally planned.
The ESM Treaty also provides "that the granting of financial assistance in the framework of new programmes under the ESM will be conditional, as of 1 March 2013, on the ratification of the TSCG by the ESM Member concerned" and on implementation of the balanced budget rule as specified in Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance (TSCG) in the Economic and Monetary Union within the agreed timeline (i.e. one year after entry into force of the TSCG).
The linkage between the ESM and the ratification of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary was accepted in the context of the acceleration into force of the ESM by July 2012. It was of particular importance to a number of partners. It is entirely logical and reasonable that a country receiving the support of its partners under the ESM should be prepared to run sensible budgetary policies as required under the new Treaty.
I have clarified that the linkage of both the ESM Treaty and the TSCG refers to new applications for assistance under the ESM and will not affect the transfer to the ESM of undisbursed amounts under the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) for Ireland and other programme countries. The funding approved under the existing Programme of Financial Support for Ireland is not therefore conditional on Ireland ratifying the fiscal compact but, as is currently the case, on Ireland successfully implementing our programme.
67 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13310/12]
In response to the Deputy's question the following appointments were made in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department since March 2011.
Fiscal Advisory Council —The following people were appointed to the Fiscal Advisory Council: Mr Sebastian Barnes; Professor Alan Barrett; Dr Donal Donovan; Professor John McHale, Chair; Dr Roisin O’Sullivan. As Minister for Finance I announced the establishment of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council on a non-statutory basis on 7 July 2011. The Council is part of a wider agenda of reform of Ireland’s budgetary architecture which is envisaged in the Programme for Government and is a requirement of the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. When establishing the Council, I stated that the Council would be an independent body whose existence and independence would be underpinned by legislation.
The Chairman was not interviewed by Oireachtas Committee as a prospective nominee but the Fiscal Council appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on 17 November 2011 to discuss their first fiscal assessment report published in October.
I appointed the members having regard to a number of criteria including the desirability of having a mix of appropriate backgrounds (academia, the financial sector/financial markets and public finance), macroeconomic/microeconomic expertise and a strong international dimension, as well as the need to take gender considerations into account. I am satisfied that the appointed members have the mix of skills and experience, including in relation to fiscal affairs, to ensure that the Council will be highly effective in fulfilling its mandate. The legislation putting the Council on a statutory footing will include provisions for the appointment of members.
National Asset Management Agency —Mr John Mulcahy was appointed to the Board of the National Asset Management Agency. He was not appointed under the new procedures for board appointments as he was an internal appointment from within the National Asset Management Agency. Mr Mulcahy is head of Asset Management within the National Asset Management Agency.
68 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if VAT is applicable to promotional material (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13326/12]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. In so far as the supply of printed matter is concerned, three different rates may apply. The general position is that books are zero-rated, newspapers and periodicals are subject to VAT at the 9% reduced rate and stationery and other printed matter are liable at the standard rate of 23%. The 9% reduced rate applies to newspapers and periodicals, including sectoral publications (sports, fashion, etc.), leaflets, holiday brochures, prospectuses, catalogues and maps.
It is not possible to inform the Deputy which VAT rate applies to all publications that are used for health promotional campaigns, as the VAT rate applicable depends on the type of printed matter concerned, for example books, periodicals, etc. I would, however, point out that the fact that the material is used for health promotion does not alter the VAT rate that applies to the printed material.
69 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the planned recapitalisation of Irish Life & Permanent; the proposed restructuring of the group; if he intends to put €1.3 billion into Irish Life & Permanent by June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13359/12]
As a result of the March 2011 PCAR Irish Life & Permanent (IL&P) was required to raise additional capital of €4 billion. In July 2011 €2.3 billion of this requirement was injected by way of a placing of shares to the Minister for Finance, leaving the State with its current holding of 99.24% in IL&P. At that time a further €400 million was also injected into IL&P in return for the issue of a Contingent Capital Note to the Minister bringing the total State contribution to €2.7 billion. During 2011 a further €0.2 billion was met from internal IL&P resources.
While the company also completed a liability management exercise which generated additional core tier 1 capital this did not improve the bank's overall capital position due to the existing capital treatment of its investment in the subsidiary Life Company. After all of these actions the remaining capital requirement for the company is €1.3 billion. It was previously intended that this remaining capital requirement would be satisfied on completion of a successful disposal of the Group's life assurance subsidiary Irish Life, with any shortfall from the €1.3 billion outstanding capital requirement being provided by the State.
The recent Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") dated 10 February 2012, which has been agreed with our External Partners states that the recapitalisation of IL&P will be completed by end-June 2012. The MOU also confirmed that, following the suspension of the sale of Irish Life, it has been decided that a State acquisition of the company would be the most effective mechanism to complete the recapitalisation and ensure that the separation of IL&P and Irish Life that is already well-advanced is completed. This approach was approved by Government at its meeting on 6th March 2012 and it is expected that the acquisition will be completed as planned by end June 2012.
Irish Life is a valuable asset for the State and will continue to be managed on an independent commercial basis to ensure that value is maintained. We will continue to work to dispose of Irish Life when market conditions permit. In relation to the proposed restructuring of IL&P t/a Permanent TSB, as part of Memorandum of Understanding dated 10 February 2012 it was also agreed that the authorities will make a decision on the proposed way ahead for the company by the end of April 2012. It would be premature for me to discuss possible outcomes at the present time.
70 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that mortgage lenders here are adequately providing for the expected losses on their mortgage books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13360/12]
The mortgage lenders operating in the Republic of Ireland are independent commercial entities and are subject to compliance with relevant legal, regulatory and accounting requirements. It is a matter for each institution's Board and management to manage and report on the performance of its mortgage book and other activities of the bank. This includes estimating impairment charges on their loans in accordance with the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
On 20 December 2011, the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) issued best practice guidelines regarding the policies, procedures and disclosures which the State supported Covered Institutions should adopt for loans and other financial assets that are subject to impairment review in accordance with IFRS. These guidelines are expected to be substantially implemented by the institutions in their 2011 annual reports. The guidelines have three principal objectives which are that the Covered Institutions: review and revise their existing impairment triggers for each loan asset portfolio to ensure that a trigger identifies a loss event as early as possible. This should result in the earliest possible recognition of losses within the IFRS framework; adopt a more conservative approach to the measurement of impairment provisions across all loan portfolios; and significantly improve the number and granularity of their asset quality and credit risk management disclosures.
In early 2011, the CBI undertook the Prudential Capital Assessment Review (PCAR) and the Prudential Liquidity Assessment Review (PLAR). The PCAR is an assessment of forward-looking prudential capital requirements, arising under a base case and stress case, with potential stressed loan losses, and other financial developments, over a three year (2011-2013) time horizon.
Completing the PCAR/PLAR exercises allowed the CBI to model both balance sheet and profit and loss dynamics in a transparent and conservative manner, offering robust reassurance that the resulting capital requirements are assessed on credible stress modelling. As part of this assessment, BlackRock Solutions performed an independent estimate of losses to include those which may occur on mortgage portfolios in both base and stress scenarios, based on expectations regarding loan amortization and prepayment, borrower delinquency and default, and loss severity.
The CBI's calculation of projected losses under the stress case ensures that banks will hold capital to meet potential future losses, even if they occur in a severely stressed macroeconomic context. This goes well beyond impairment provisions required under existing accounting standards. As a consequence, Irish banks have been recapitalised to cover higher target capital ratios set by the CBI, a prudent regulatory buffer for additional conservatism, adverse stress scenario loan loss estimates based on conservative assumptions; and a prudent estimate of losses arising from deleveraging under an adverse stress scenario
71 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the approximate amount of PRSI income that was reclassified as income tax in the February Exchequer returns; the way this impacted the overall Exchequer deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13433/12]
Based on information to date from the Collector General's Office, the amount of PRSI income that was reclassified as income tax in the February Exchequer returns was approximately €221 million. The overall impact on the Exchequer is neutral — what is gained in income tax is counterbalanced through higher net voted current spending.
72 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the plans he intends to put in place to assist employees of covered institutions who are made redundant as part of the ongoing restructure of the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13434/12]
The Deputy will be aware that Allied Irish Banks announced plans today to shed some 2,500 posts as part of a voluntary severance programme. It is deeply regrettable, for all concerned, that such action has had to be taken but it is an inevitable consequence of the necessary restructuring of the banking system to render it fit to better serve personal and business customers throughout the economy. As for any group of workers whose positions are being made redundant, the services of the State will be available to assist them across a range of issues including employment support services, education and training interventions and income maintenance and money advice. Any such supports will supplement the facilities being put in place by the employer. The exact nature of the supports will be determined by the particular circumstances.
73 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the availability of negative equity mortgages would be of benefit to both consumers and the wider economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13435/12]
The Central Bank has advised me that they wrote to all mortgage lenders in 2010 to ascertain whether they were offering, or intended to offer, a mortgage product that would allow home owners to sell their existing home and transfer the negative equity portion of the original loan to the new loan. In order to ensure that proposals in relation to such mortgages are consistent with the Central Bank's consumer protection and prudential policy objectives, the proposed criteria for any such facility would need to be agreed in advance between mortgage lenders and the Central Bank.
In response to the Central Bank's letter, only a small number of mortgage lenders said that they would consider offering such a facility. The Central Bank has also advised me that, following the issue of the report of the Inter-Departmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group in September 2011, which included a recommendation on trade down mortgages, several lenders have contacted the Bank with regard to offering negative equity mortgages. This includes trade-up, trade-down and trade-down where the customer is in arrears.
In light of this and the initial low level of take up in 2011, the Central Bank has reviewed some of its criteria for negative equity mortgages and recently communicated this revision to the main lenders. While the provision of negative equity mortgages will facilitate people moving homes and generate transactions in the housing market it is not expected that these would be a large take up of this product. It still remains that any institution offering such a mortgage facility may do so only in accordance with criteria set out by and with the prior approval of the Central Bank.
The Deputy may be aware of the speech given by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank to the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Ireland last Friday in which he stated that negative equity mortgages do pose consumer protection issues, as such mortgages may involve a home owner trading up to a larger home and taking on increased debt. The Deputy Governor also mentioned that the Central Bank was approached by two lenders at the end of 2010 about launching negative equity mortgages. The Central Bank agreed that these could be developed on a pilot basis, involving guidelines on affordability and the ability to service debt as well as restrictions on marketing.
In the light of the very limited take up of these mortgages, under the framework that was agreed and of the potential benefits for facilitating moves and generating transactions in the housing market, the Central Bank has decided to adapt its approach to make provision of negative equity mortgages easier. The Central Bank has set out for lenders general criteria under which the Bank will consider allowing the provision of such mortgages. All such mortgage sales must comply with the affordability and suitability provisions set out in the Consumer Protection Code. A copy of the speech referred to is available on the Central Bank's website.
74 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the delays experienced with some mortgage providers in passing on to customers the increase in the rate of mortgage interest relief in budget 2012 have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13436/12]
I am informed by Revenue Commissioners that it has been in contact with all qualifying lenders to ensure the necessary software changes to the lenders' Tax Relief at Source systems are made to cater for the new 30% rate of tax relief and pass on the increased rate of relief to borrowers without undue delay. Testing of software programmes designed to implement the new rate has commenced with some lenders. There is ongoing contact with all others to ensure changes are implemented as speedily and efficiently as possible. The speed with which the software changes can be developed and implemented varies from lender to lender. Revenue is continuing to engage with all lenders to ensure the changes are implemented as soon as possible. As I previously advised the Deputy, as an interim relieving measure a 25% rate that had previously been tested with lenders has been applied by Revenue since January.
75 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on negotiations that are ongoing between his Department and an organisation (details supplied); the current stage of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13284/12]
Officials from my Department have been engaging with the trustees of the school to which the Deputy refers with regard to the possible transfer of land to facilitate a capital project. My officials are liaising with the school authorities in this regard.
76 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding proof of residence for a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13301/12]
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority — the local authority or the VEC. From the details supplied, it appears the Deputy is referring to proof of independent residency to allow a student to be assessed as an independent mature student for grants purposes i.e. to be assessed without reference to parental income.
For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. An independent mature student is defined as a mature student who was not ordinarily resident with his or her parents or legal guardian from the October preceding entry or re-entry to further or higher education. In order to establish a candidate's status as an independent mature student, documentary evidence is required as proof of a candidate's address from 1 October of the year preceding entry into college.
In considering whether a mature student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant. The documentary evidence normally required includes utility bills, such as telephone, gas or electricity bill, evidence of registration with the Private ResidentialTenancies Board or official documentation received at the address, for example, from a Government Department.
In exceptional circumstances, where it is not possible to produce such proofs of residence in the relevant period for demonstrable reasons, the awarding authority may, at its discretion, agree to accept other documentary evidence that provides an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period. Individual circumstances should be discussed by an applicant with his or her grant awarding authority. The awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof is submitted by the grant applicant in establishing eligibility under all aspects of the schemes.
77 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13308/12]
The table that follows this reply provides the relevant details of all appointments and reappointments made to bodies under the aegis of my Department since my appointment as Minister. The Deputy will note that I have made one new appointment as a chairperson, i.e. in respect of the Education Finance Board. It is anticipated that this newly appointed board will serve for a number of months pending the establishment of the new Residential Institutions Statutory Fund. Therefore this appointment is for a period of one year or until such time as the Statutory Fund is established, whichever is the earlier.
In accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service from suitably qualified and experienced people for consideration for appointment to the following boards of bodies that operate under the aegis of my Department: Leárgas Limited — the Exchange Bureau in December 2011; the Higher Education Authority in December 2011; the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (to be newly established) in December 2011; the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in February 2012; the State Examinations Commission (SEC) in February 2012; and the Teaching Council in February 2012. To date, two individuals who applied through PAS have been appointed to the Board of the HEA. Appointments have not yet been made to the other boards mentioned above.
Vacancies on other Boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise during 2012 will continue to be advertised on my Department's website. The Deputy should note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions.
|
Agency Name |
Number Appointments/ reappointments |
Names |
Notes |
|
Education Finance Board |
2 reappointments and 7 appointments |
Mr. Seán Benton (Chairperson)Mr. Peter OrmondMr. Stephen McCarthyMs Norah GibbonsMs Inez BaileyMs Bernadette FahyMs Marian DunningtonMr. James QuinnMs Dolores Rooney |
This Board is effectively a caretaker board which will serve for a number of months pending the establishment of the Statutory Fund. It is envisaged that the new Fund will assume the functions of the Board and the Board will be dissolved when the fund is set up. Mr. Ormond and MsFahy are re-appointments. |
|
Foras Áiseanna Saothair |
1 appointment |
Mr. Michael Moriarty |
Mr. Moriarty, who is General Secretary of the IVEA, was appointed in July 2011 because of his expertise in the area of Vocational Education which will be particularly useful in the context of the future integration of the FÁS training division and the VECs and the creation of SOLAS, the new further education and training authority. |
|
Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) |
11 reappointments (See Note 1) |
Mr. Donal O’Rourke (Chairperson)Dr. Padraig WalshMs Margaret O’ConnellMr. Rory O’SullivanMr. Joseph O’LearyMs Deirdre KeyesMs Bridie DalyMs Margaret MernaghMr. John MulcahyMr. Tony PetitMs Shira Mehiman |
As FETAC’s term of office expired in December 2011, and to meet with statutory obligations, eligible members of the outgoing Board were re-appointed to the Board until such time as the new QQAAI is established. All 11 re-appointed on 21st December 2011. |
|
Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) |
2 appointments and 8 reappointments (See Note 1) |
Dr. Maria Hinfelaar (1st appointed 9/6/2011)Mr. Aengus Ó Maoláin (1st appointed 1/7/2011)Prof. Séamus Smyth (Chairperson)Dr. Finola Doyle-O’NeillDr. Marion PalmerDr. Íde Ní FhaoláinMs Mary Mc GlynnDr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan |
As HETAC’s term of office expired in December 2011, and to meet with statutory obligations, eligible members of the outgoing Board were re-appointed to the Board until such time as the new QQAAI (see note 1) is established. All 8 re-appointed on 21st December 2011. |
|
Higher Education Authority |
7 appointments and 3 reappointments |
Mr Gary Redmond (President USI)Prof. Anthony StainesMs Siobhán HarkinMr. Gordan RyanMs Kathleen Lough (re-appointed)Mr. Paddy CosgraveDr. Brian ThornesDr. Mary Canning (re-appointed)Mr. Bahram BekheradniaDr. Jim Mountjoy |
Mr. Redmond was re-appointed in July 2011 by virtue of his re-appointment as President of the USI. All other members were appointed by the Government on 6th March 2012.Both MsHarkin & Dr. Canning applied though the Public Appointments Service (PAS) process. |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment |
2 appointments |
Mr. Seán Ó CoinnProfessor Noirín Hayes |
Mr. Ó Coinn nominated by Foras na Gaeilge and Professor Noirín Hayes nominated by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Both appointed on the 13th of December 2011. |
|
National Council for Special Education |
1 appointment |
Ms Maureen Costello |
Director of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) appointed in September 2011. |
|
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland |
1 appointment and 5 reappointments (See Note 1) |
Mr. Gary Redmond (1st appointed 24/6/2011)Prof. Anne ScottMs Marie BourkeMr. Eamon DevoyMs Audry DeaneMr. Tony Donohue |
All re-appointed on 31st March 2011 with exception of Mr. Redmond. |
|
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) |
11 reappointments |
Dr. Fionnuala O’LoughlinDr. Helen CummiskeyDr. Harry BuglerDr. Mary BluettDr. Ruth PilkingtonDr. William DelaneyMr. John CampbellMs Ann O’BrienMs Samantha Cruess CallaghanMs Dariona Conlon |
All re-appointed on 16th December 2011 |
|
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC) |
6 reappointments |
The Hon. Mr. Justice Francis D. Murphy (Chairperson)Mr. John DaltonMs Ita ManganMr. Justice John BuckleyMr. Brendan GogartyMr. Colm Gaynor |
All re-appointed on 16th December 2011 |
|
Skillnets Ltd |
1 |
Mr. Mícheál Ó Fiannachta |
A Departmental official appointed in June 2011. |
Note 1: The Further Education and Training Awards Council, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland are to be merged to form a new body to be known as the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland in the coming months.
78 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive their redundancy payment; the reason for the delay; the total payment due to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13345/12]
A redundancy application in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy has been processed by my Department. Payment issued directly to the person on 1 March 2012.
79 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13368/12]
The general provisions regarding short-term occasional absences for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) sanctioned by the employer during the school year are contained in Circular 32/2010 issued by my Department in July 2010. There is currently no provision for the granting of paid leave to SNAs when representing Ireland at International Sporting Events. SNAs may be granted unpaid leave, subject to the approval of the Board of Management, with the cost of substitution met by my Department, in accordance with the provisions outlined in Circular 32/2010. The reality of the economic situation, the difficult circumstances in our public finances and the public expenditure corrections which must be made in the coming years present challenges across all areas of public expenditure and make any proposals to expand existing schemes extremely difficult.
80 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of his Department’s current gross budget that will be spent on public service pay and pensions in higher level education for 2012. [13377/12]
81 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of his Department’s current gross budget that will be spent on public service pay and pensions in first level education for 2012. [13378/12]
82 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of his Department’s current gross budget that will be spent on public service pay and pensions in second level education for 2012. [13379/12]
83 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of his Department’s current gross budget that will be spent on public service pay and pensions in 2012. [13380/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 83, inclusive, together.
The Table contains a breakdown between Gross Pay and Pensions for the main programmes making up Vote 26: Education and Skills as contained in the recently published 2012 Revised Estimates Volume (REV).
|
Vote 26 — Education and Skills |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
GROSS CURRENT EXPENDITURE = €8,242 |
||||||
|
Programme |
Pay |
Pensions |
Total |
|||
|
€ Million |
% of Gross Current |
€ Million |
% of Gross Current |
€ Million |
% of Gross Current |
|
|
Administration and Other Services |
93.1 |
1.1 |
0.5 |
0.1 |
93.6 |
1.1 |
|
First-Level Education |
2,374.2 |
28.8 |
495.5 |
6.0 |
2,869.7 |
34.8 |
|
2nd Level Education |
1,924.8 |
23.4 |
571.9 |
6.9 |
2,496.7 |
30.3 |
|
Third-level and Further Education |
828.0 |
10.0 |
1.8 |
0.0 |
829.8 |
10.1 |
|
Skills and Development |
131.1 |
1.6 |
33.2 |
0.4 |
164.3 |
2.0 |
|
Total |
5,351.2 |
64.9 |
1,102.9 |
13.4 |
6,454.1 |
78.3 |
84 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process and procedure to be followed by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in their efforts to have their position as assistant examiner in the junior certificate upgraded to that of advising examiner for the junior certificate in 2013 and leaving certificate applied having regard to their vast experience as a home economics teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13409/12]
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations, determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted, including the supervision of examinations and making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
85 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will retain its staffing complement for the next school year in view of the fact that it is a school under the patronage of a minority faith, it has had major capital investment in recent years, it draws its pupils from a wide geographical and predominantly rural area and if all of these factors will be taken into account in determining the staffing numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13420/12]
There is no increase in the staffing schedule general average of 28:1 for the allocation of classroom teachers at primary level. However, there is a phased increase in the pupil threshold for the allocation of classroom teachers in small primary schools. As part of the Budget decisions announced, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The schools concerned are those with four or less classroom teachers. All schools are being treated equally irrespective of the type of patronage. The phasing of these measures can provide the schools concerned with time to consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools where this is feasible. If amalgamations take place, they will be voluntary and follow decisions taken by local communities and not by my Department.
This Government recognises that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities. They will continue to be a feature of our education landscape. However, this does not mean that small schools can stand still or never have their staffing levels changed to something that is more affordable and sustainable for these difficult and challenging times. The teachers in small schools cannot be immune from the requirement that is being asked of all public servants to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources.
My Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the small schools that are losing a classroom post as a result of the budget measure. They will not lose their classroom post if any of them are projecting increased enrolments in September 2012 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular that is now published on my Department's website. The closing date for submission of appeals for the April meeting of the Staffing Appeals Board is 23 March, 2012. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
86 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount of grant aid approved under his various building grant schemes for a school (details supplied) since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13421/12]
The total capital allocation issued to the school referred to by the Deputy over the period 2008 to date amounted to €2,408,516. Over the period 2002 to 2007 the capital allocation issued to the same school amounted to €1,022,838.77 but this sum excludes a small number of block grants that issued over the period but which cannot be identified at individual school level. The financial management system in place since 2008 captures all payments on an individual school basis.
87 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a national school pupil (details supplied) suffering from dsypraxia has been told by his Department that his-her application for resource hours will not be assessed until June 2012; if his attention has been drawn to the damaging effect that this delay will have on the pupil; the rationale for the delay and the steps he will take to rectify the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13427/12]
88 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has issued a directive to the National Council for Special Education to pause the processing of applications for resource hours in primary schools until June 2012; the reasons underpinning this decision; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship that such an instruction will cause students and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13428/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
All schools have now received their resource teaching allocations for the current school year, based on the number of valid applications for resource teaching support received by the NCSE to 25 November, 2011, and taking into account my Departments Employment Control Framework obligations which limits the number of overall resource teaching posts which may be allocated to schools. The NCSE recently published statistical information on SNA and resource teaching allocations on a county by county and school by school basis, including in relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, on its website www.ncse.ie.
Where a pupil meets the criteria for Resource Teaching support, following diagnosis or enrolment to a school which does not have any existing allocation of resource teaching support, the NCSE may make an allocation for such pupils from the small pool of remaining posts which have been reserved for such emergencies or eventualities. Schools fulfilling such criteria may make an application to the NCSE for additional resource teaching hours.
Schools have been advised to make applications to the NCSE for resource teaching support for the 2012/13 school year by 16 March, 2012. They will be advised by early May 2012 of their allocation for the 2012/13 school year, based on the number of valid applications received by 16 March.
89 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of every new semi-State organisation set up since March 2011; if there is a sunset clause embedded in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13302/12]
As the Deputy will be aware the Public Service Reform Plan, published in November, stated that in future, legislation to create a new State Body must now include a sunset clause ensuring that the Body will cease to exist after a predetermined date unless the Body's mandate is specifically renewed. However, to date no new semi-state organisations have been established in legislation since the Government came to power.
90 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13315/12]
In response to the Deputy's question the following appointments were made to bodies under the aegis of my Department:
|
Name of Appointee |
Date Appointed |
|
Mr. Donal Connell — Chairman |
re-appointed February 29th 2012. |
The position to which Mr. Connell was re-appointed by me as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform was not advertised as under the National Lottery Act 1986, the majority shareholder of the National Lottery Company (i.e. An Post) nominates the person to fill this position. On 22nd November 2011, I re-appointed Mr. Connell as chairman until 29th February 2012 in order to allow him time to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance Public Expenditure and Reform. Mr. Connell appeared before the Committee on 14th December 2011 and his re-appointment as Chairman has been ratified with effect from the 29th February 2012.
|
Name of Appointee |
Date Appointed |
|
Mr. Turlough O’Donnell, S.C. (Chair)Mr. Gerard BarryMr. Tom WallMr. George MayburyMr. Hugh O’Flaherty |
Appointed 1 July 2011 |
The new procedures were not used in this case and the Chairman was not interviewed by Oireachtas.
The conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Civil Service, the Permanent Defence Forces, the Gardai and Teachers sets out the nomination process for the Board and its appointment by Government.
|
Name of Appointee |
Date Appointed |
|
Mr. Eddie Sullivan, ChairmanMr. Des Dowling, Assistant Secretary — Department of the Environment, Community and Local GovernmentDr. Deirdre O’Keeffe, Assistant Secretary — Department of Justice and EqualityMs Patricia Coleman, Director — Department of Public Expenditure and ReformMr. Seán McGrath — National Director of Human Resources in the Health Service Executive (has since resigned)Ms Judith Eve former Chairperson the Civil Service Commissioners, Northern IrelandDr. Eddie Molloy Management ConsultantMr. Dan Murphy, former General Secretary of the Public Service Executive UnionMr. Bryan Andrews as Chief Executive Officer of the Public Appointments Service holding office on an ex officio basis. (has since resigned) |
All Members appointed on 1 September 2011 |
The appointments were not made using the new procedures and the previous Chairman was reappointed to the role on the new board. The reason for not following the new procedures in relation to board appointments is that the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 states that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (in consultation with Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence) should appoint members of the Board of the Public Appointments Service.
The Board is meant to be representative of its client base i.e. (Government Departments and Public Service Bodies). The majority of the board are therefore civil or public servants, nominated by the relevant Minister. There is also a union representative nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). I reappointed the outgoing Chairman. I approved the appointment of the two external members because of their expertise in strategic change and public service recruitment respectively.
91 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13313/12]
The following appointments were made to State boards:
Forfás
Mr. John Murphy, Secretary General of the Department was appointed to the Board of Forfás with effect from 18 January 2012.
The Industrial Development legislation provides that the Director General of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) serves on the board of Forfás. Professor Mark Ferguson therefore became a member of the Forfás Board on taking up his position with SFI with effect from 18th January 2012. The SFI post is an ex officio appointment provided for in legislation. It has been the custom to appoint the Secretary General of the Department to the board of Forfás for reasons of policy cohesion and corporate governance. As such, the new procedures were not utilized in the case of either appointment.
National Standards Authority of Ireland Board (NSAI)
Helen Curley, a Principal Officer in my Department, was appointed on 8 July 2011. Ms Curley resigned from the Board on 15 November 2011, as due to an internal transfer she was no longer responsible for the NSAI policy area.
Ms Barbara O'Leary and Mr. Terry Landers were appointed on 6 March 2012. Both appointments were publicly advertised. Both applied through the advertised process.
Competition Authority
While it does not have a typical board structure, the Competition Authority consists of a Chairperson and up to four other members who act as an executive board. The Competition Acts 2002 to 2010 set out the requirements pertaining to appointments to the Authority. Chairperson: I re-appointed Mr Declan Purcell as Chairperson of the Competition Authority on 1 July 2011 and following his retirement, I subsequently appointed Ms Isolde Goggin as Chairperson following her selection by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who publicly advertised this position. Members: I appointed Ms Noreen Mackey and Mr. David McFadden as temporary members of the Authority in July 2011 and I subsequently re-appointed both from 1st October. On 9th August 2011, I re-appointed Mr. Ciarán Quigley as a temporary member of the Authority. These temporary appointments were made in accordance with the Competition Acts 2002 to 2010 and did not require to be publicly advertised.
Advertisements for three full time members of the Competition Authority were published in June 2011 and following the completion of the PAS selection process for these posts I appointed Mr Stephen Calkins and Mr. Gerald FitzGerald from December 2011 and Mr. Patrick Kenny from January 2011.
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority
Seven appointments were made to the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA). Mr Dave Martin and Mr. Kevin O'Donovan were both appointed as nominees of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies on the 26 May 2011. Ms Sylvia McNeece of the Irish Pension Board, Ms Deirdre Behan of the Revenue Commissioners, Ms Mairead Devine of the Central Bank, Ms Marie Daly of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and Mr. Sean Hawkshaw of the Irish Association of Investment Managers were all appointed as nominees of the Designated Bodies on the 3rd January 2012. As these appointments were made in compliance with the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 it was not appropriate to advertise the posts.
National Consumer Agency
Ms Isolde Goggin was appointed to the Board of the National Consumer Agency in November 2011. While this appointment was not made using the new procedures Ms Goggin's appointment as Chairperson of the Competition Authority and Chairperson designate of the new body, which will be established on foot of the merger of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency, reflects the Government's commitment to the rationalisation of State agencies.
PIAB
Two appointments were made to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). One was the re-appointment of Ms Ann Fitzgerald in her capacity as Chief Executive of the National Consumer Agency, which is a statutory position on the Board. Therefore the post was not advertised. In the case of the second appointment, it was considered appropriate to have a representative from the Department on the Board and Ms Breda Power, Assistant Secretary, was appointed. Given the nature of this appointment, the post was not advertised.
Science Foundation Ireland
Dr. Rita Colwell and Professor Martina Newell-McGloughlin were both reappointed to the Board of Science Foundation Ireland with effect from 26th of July 2011. Dr. Colwell and Professor Newell-McGloughlin are internationally renowned scientific experts in the Life Sciences and Biotechnology sectors. As the Minister considered it appropriate to re-appoint them to the Board, the vacancies were not publicly advertised.
InterTrade Ireland
The InterTradeIreland Board expired on the 12th December 2011. Minister Richard Bruton nominated four new members to that Board. These members included the following: Mr. Martin Cronin Chairman; Mr. Philip Doherty; Mr. Kevin Norton; Ms Mairead Sorenson. These four members were subsequently appointed to the Board on the 13th December, 2011 by the North South ministerial Council. Mr. Philip Doherty did not take up his membership on the Board, and an alternative is currently being sought. Both Mr. Brendan Butler and Ms Patricia McKeown who served on the last Board were re-appointed on the 13th December, 2011.
Shannon Development
Mr. Stephen Curran, Principal Officer, was appointed to my Department on 09 January 2012 and was subsequently appointed to the Board of Shannon Development on 23 February 2012. This appointment was a direct replacement of Mr. Bob Keane, Principal Officer, who transferred from the Department to a position in Brussels and subsequently resigned from the Board. This appointment did not fall under the new procedures as Mr Curran is the Departmental representative on the Board.
IDA
I recently made the following two appointments to the Board of the IDA: Alan W. Gray and Mary Campbell.
The Deputy will be aware that Government policy is to introduce greater transparency in the appointment process. In line with this policy and in an effort to broaden the pool of suitable candidates for consideration for appointment to boards, I sought expressions of interest last summer from suitably qualified people for appointment to the boards of several agencies under my Department's remit. I also made it clear in advertising those vacancies that I would not be restricted to only those who responded to the advert. In the case of IDA Ireland, neither appointment was made using the new procedures. Ms Mary Campbell was identified following consultations with IDA Ireland to nominate a person with relevant international financial experience for my consideration for appointment to the Board.
I intend to launch another expressions of interest campaign in the near future in respect of further vacancies that have arisen or that are due to arise over the coming months. In this respect, my overriding focus is to find the best people for particular board appointments. In making appointments I will have regard to the expertise and experience of individuals, the balance of skills and attributes in terms of the overall composition of the board, the gender balance of the board and the availability and commitment of people to serve on the board.
92 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if businesses (details supplied) will have access to the proposed credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13350/12]
The Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme is to operate under the De Minimis State Aid rules as agreed by the Government in November. The De Minimis State Aid framework provides a basis for swift implementation of such a Scheme.
Operating within the scope of the De Minimis State Aid regulations places limits on the range of options available in terms of the extent and pricing of the support which can be provided. It also places some limitations on the business sectors and loan purposes which the Scheme can support. Primary production in agriculture, horticulture and fisheries are excluded from the scope of the scheme in the light of particular restrictions under the De Minimis State Aid rules.
The relevant regulations are:
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1998/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to de minimis aid;
Commission Notice on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid in the form of guarantees (2008/C 155/02).
Furthermore, the Scheme is a targeted intervention to address specific market failure where a business is unable to secure lending due to a lack of security required for conventional collateral based lending.
The evidence is that currently, the agricultural sector is not experiencing a significant market failure in relation to collateral based lending in comparison to other industry sectors. The Government agreed that the absence of security was less likely to be an issue in agriculture than in many other sectors, as at least for owner farmers there would be the underlying asset of the farmland and buildings, and thus there would be proportionately fewer agriculture borrowing propositions to which the principal underlying rationale for the Scheme would apply.
93 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in view of the fact that more than 5,000 people turned up at a jobs expo promoting jobs in Australia and Canada, his proposals to help small businesses retain the people they have in employment at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13447/12]
Our commitment to supporting business is particularly evident from the range of initiatives outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs. The Plan tackles the issue of access to finance through a range of measures, such as the introduction of a Micro- Finance Fund to provide loans of up to €25,000 to micro-enterprises and the roll-out of the Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme.
On a practical level, my Department and Enterprise Ireland (EI) will be working closely with the banking sector to assist them in achieving a cultural shift in lending practices towards those companies and sectors that are crucial to economic growth. In the area of procurement, the Plan includes practical measures such as the strengthening of EI's engagement between SMEs and procuring authorities and a new initiative to encourage contracting authorities to consider more innovative solutions to their procurement needs.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) will also have a crucial role in delivering many of the initiatives in the Action Plan for Jobs through delivering supports to drive sales and marketing capabilities, building Leadership and Management Capabilities, embedding Competitiveness Improvements, and providing financial supports. Under the Action Plan for Jobs, the micro-enterprise supports in Ireland will also be re-shaped to put in place an improved enterprise support structure for small businesses throughout Ireland. EI will work with the Local Authorities to establish a new network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in each Local Authority, which will combine the enterprise support service of the previous CEBs and the business support work of the Business Support Units in the Local Authorities.
Good progress has also been made by my Department and its Agencies in reducing administrative burdens on business, with a reduction of over 23% already having been achieved. This amounts to an annual saving of over €198 million. Details of all the initiatives making up this total are available on my Department's website. Work is continuing to identify new areas where administrative burdens on business can be reduced.
I am confident that these initiatives combined with the focus that this Government has brought to bear on the issues that are of particular concern for business, will yield real benefit to individual enterprises and the economy as a whole in the short to medium term.
94 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for disability benefit will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13254/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the illness benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer of the Department following an examination by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed this decision and in that context she was examined by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
In the light of this, it was decided to afford the person concerned an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal and to furnish any further medical evidence that she wished to submit in support of her appeal. She did this and, at this stage, the Department of Social Protection have been requested to submit relevant documents to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On receipt, her appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
95 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the appeal regarding the cessation of illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13266/12]
Payment of illness benefit to the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal was registered, in this case, on 7 March 2012 and in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
96 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a domiciliary care allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; her views on whether seven months is an acceptable length of time for persons to have to wait for appeal decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13282/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 August 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 4 November 2011 and the appeal will be assigned, in due course, to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
97 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, in tabular form, the number of employers who availed of the employee retention grant for each of the years 2007 to 2012; her plans to increase awareness of this grant among employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13285/12]
The Employee Retention Grant Scheme is one of four employment support schemes included in the DSP Reasonable Accommodation Fund which were administered by FÁS until December 2011, and subsequently by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) since January 2012, namely:
Work Equipment Adaptation Grant;
Job Interview Grant;
Personal Reader Grant;
Employee Retention Grant.
FÁS did not collate details of numbers of individual applications in these grants, but instead records actual expenditure only against budget for each year. The actual expenditures on Employee Retention Grant Scheme are as follows:
|
Year |
Actual Expenditure |
|
2007 |
€10,000 |
|
2008 |
€14,000 |
|
2009 |
€1,000 |
|
2010 |
€7,000 |
|
2011 |
€2,000 |
|
2012 |
Nil to date |
The Reasonable Accommodation Fund is demand-led in that expenditure on same is in response to applications received.
In order to increase awareness of employers of these demand led employment supports, DSP commenced a series of Employer Awareness Evenings nationally through the Supported Employment Service (EmployAbility Service) in September 2011 which are still on-going. To date, events have been held in Cork, Dublin, Tralee, Kilkenny, Waterford, Monaghan, Enniscorthy, Carlow, Kildare, Castlebar, Tullamore and Ennis. In addition, the regional management responsibility for the Employee Retention Grant Scheme, along with the Disability Awareness Support Scheme is currently under review by the DSP as both had formerly been administered by the Services to Business Division of FÁS.
98 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers who have availed of the disability awareness training grant for each of the years 2007 to 2012; her plans to increase awareness of this grant among employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13286/12]
The Disability Awareness Support Scheme (DASS) was administered by FÁS until December 2011. It was originally titled the Disability Awareness Training Scheme (DATS) but it was renamed in 2011 by FÁS on the withdrawal of the FÁS/Enterprise Ireland National Register of Trainers. It is administered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) since January 2012.
FÁS did not collate details of numbers of individual applications for this scheme, but instead records actual expenditure only against budget for each year. The actual expenditure on the Disability Awareness Support Scheme is as follows:
|
Year |
Actual Expenditure |
|
2007 |
€133,000 |
|
2008 |
€72,000 |
|
2009 |
€20,000 |
|
2010 |
€14,000 |
|
2011 |
€11,000 |
|
2012 |
Nil to date |
The Disability Awareness Support Scheme is demand-led in that expenditure on same is in response to applications received.
In order to increase awareness of employers of these demand led employment supports, DSP commenced a series of Employer Awareness Evenings nationally through the Supported Employment Service (EmployAbility Service) in September 2011 which are still on-going. To date, events have been held in Cork, Dublin, Tralee, Kilkenny, Waterford, Monaghan, Enniscorthy, Carlow, Kildare, Castlebar, Tullamore and Ennis. In addition, the regional management responsibility for the Employee Retention Grant Scheme, along with the Disability Awareness Support Scheme is currently under review by the DSP as both had formerly been administered by the Services to Business Division of FÁS.
100 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline, in tabular form, the cost to the State of illness benefit, invalidity pension and occupational injury benefit for each of the years 2007 to 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13289/12]
The information requested by the Deputy is not finalised for 2011. I have provided, for his information, a table which sets out by actual scheme the cost to the State of illness benefit, invalidity pension and occupational injury benefit for the years 2007 to 2010 together with the provisional outturn for 2011 and the provision in the 2012 Revised Estimates Volume in respect of these schemes.
|
Year |
Illness Benefit |
Invalidity Pension |
Occupation Injury Benefit* |
Total |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
2007 |
755,077 |
618,133 |
104,349 |
1,477,559 |
|
2008 |
852,305 |
685,717 |
112,014 |
1,650,036 |
|
2009 |
919,783 |
681,642 |
112,336 |
1,713,761 |
|
2010 |
942,571 |
639,994 |
104,844 |
1,687,409 |
|
2011** |
876,327 |
607,537 |
101,257 |
1,585,121 |
|
2012*** |
846,510 |
627,680 |
98,260 |
1,572,450 |
*Occupational Injury Benefit includes expenditure on Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Death Benefit and Medical Care.
**Provisional Outturn.
***Provision in the Estimates.
101 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans to review the 12 week qualifying period for the JobBridge scheme, in view of the fact that graduates who are leaving college in the coming months are interested in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13295/12]
The National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors. The scheme is limited to individuals who are currently on the Live Register and have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance/Benefit or are signing on for credits for at least 3 of the last 6 months.
The eligibility to access the National Internship Scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register. It is important that as employment opportunities become available they are taken up by those on the Live Register. The structure for achieving this objective is through a reinvigorated National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) which currently provides the framework for engaging with the unemployed.
Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy and of the NEAP will be to keep those on the Live Register close to the Labour Market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that Live Register members availing of activation measures such as the National Internship Scheme will, while retaining social welfare unemployment payments and a top up allowance of €50, get an opportunity to engage in the workplace, get work experience and so be in a position to avail of employment opportunities as the economy improves.
For these reasons, it has been proposed as a matter of public policy that eligibility for the scheme be confined to those on the Live Register and in receipt of unemployment payments or signing for credits for 3 of the last 6 months. As such, the policy objective is to prioritise scarce resources on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it thereby ensuring a reduction in Exchequer costs over time. My Department continues to monitor and review the operation of the JobBridge scheme including its eligibility criteria on an ongoing basis. However, there are no current plans to review the 78 days qualifying period.
102 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by her, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who from any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and which prospective nominees went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13316/12]
The three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department but it does not have a Board. Details of current members and appointments in relation to these three bodies are available on the Department's website at www.welfare.ie/EN/AboutUs/Pages/stateagencies.aspx. Those details are updated as required.
The Social Welfare Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and four ordinary members, two on the nomination of Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two nominated by Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC). The positions of the four ordinary members are not subject to the new procedures due to the nature of the work of the Tribunal, as it deals with entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance in cases where a claim is refused because it is considered to be connected to a trade dispute. For that reason, the board is made up of individuals who are deemed to be representative of both employers and employees and are nominated by both ICTU and IBEC. One of the ICTU members of the Tribunal resigned in 2011 and on the nomination of ICTU, a replacement member, Ms Chris Rowland was appointed commencing 24 October 2011.
I have made two appointments to the Citizens Information Board since coming into office. Mr. Eugene McErlean was appointed with effect from 7 September 2011. This followed my public request for expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individuals announced in July 2011. 172 applications were received and the appointment was made following a rigorous selection process in accordance with the legislation governing appointments to such a board. On 1 November 2011, I appointed Ms Fiona Ward as a member and as she is the Department's representative on the board, the vacancy was not publically advertised.
I have made no appointments to the Pensions Board since coming into office. I have not appointed a Chairperson to any of the above Boards since coming into office and none of the above nominees were required to appear before the appropriate Oireachtas committee prior to appointment.
103 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection when the appeal against the disallowance of domiciliary care allowance will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [13329/12]
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on 19th January 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on 20th February 2012 advising of the decision. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days. As yet no appeal has been registered against the decision in this case.
Social Welfare Benefits
104 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 and if she will expedite a decision on same. [13341/12]
I confirm that an application for carer's allowance was received from the above named. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her claim, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
105 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when disability allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13344/12]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer proposes to re-open this case by way of an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
107 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision is expected to be made regarding a supplementary welfare allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13354/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21st November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 7th December 2011 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration. On reviewing the file, the Appeals Officer ascertained there was no statutory decision in this case, the decision was administrative only. As such the decision is not appealable to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the person concerned is being informed. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
108 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons for the delay in the processing of a statutory redundancy payment from the social insurance fund in respect of a person (details supplied); when the payment will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13358/12]
A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned was received on 28 September 2011. Redundancy lump sum claims received in July 2011 are currently being processed.
109 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13374/12]
Under Regulation (EC) 883/2004 the last country of employment is the Competent State for the payment of jobseeker's benefit. A person who was last employed in the United Kingdom should make his or her claim in that country.
111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason one-parent family payment has not been paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has repeatedly supplied information as requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13404/12]
An application for one-parent family payment from the person concerned was disallowed on 1 February 2012 as she did not make herself available for interview by an inspector and she failed to show that her means from employment did not exceed the statutory limit for the scheme. She appealed the decision on 1 March 2012 and supplied additional documentation in support of her appeal. Her file has been returned to the inspector for review in light of the additional information supplied. She will be informed of the outcome of this review as soon as possible.
112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs, emergency or basic payment is payable in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who are suffering considerable hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13405/12]
An application for supplementary welfare allowance by the person concerned in 2010 was disallowed as it was determined that he did not satisfy the habitual residence condition. The decision was upheld on appeal by the social welfare appeals office. There is no current application for supplementary welfare allowance from the person concerned.
113 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was deemed not habitually resident here in view of the fact that she has lived permanently here for more than five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13406/12]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance. The medical evidence supplied with her claim was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that she was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and also decided the evidence available did not substantiate that the person is habitually resident in the State. The person's claim was refused both on medical and habitual residence grounds and the person was notified in writing of the decision and the reasons for it.
114 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if any further support is available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13407/12]
The person concerned is in receipt of a State pension (contributory) at the maximum personal rate of €230.30 per week. He recently applied for, and has been awarded an increase for a qualified child (IQC) of €29.80 per week, in respect of his dependant grandchild. Arrears of IQC, amounting to €715.20, have been paid.
As an alternative to the IQC increase on his State pension, the person concerned may be eligible for a guardian's payment (contributory) if the dependant grandchild is considered an orphan under Section 2(1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005. The person concerned has been forwarded a claim form for the guardian's payment (contributory). On receipt of the completed claim form, his entitlement to this payment will be fully examined and he will be notified of the outcome. In addition, a claim for Child Benefit has been received and is currently being examined. He will be notified of the outcome in due course.
115 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent support has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the case can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13408/12]
The person concerned failed to provide the Department with key information relating to his previous employment. The client has been notified of the information required in order for a reassessment of his claim to be carried out.
116 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the level of income that a couple and a child can have in order to qualify for rent supplement and in particular where a person and his or her partner with one child have income of €450, and whereby their rent is €135 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13438/12]
117 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when examining a claim for supplementary welfare allowance, and more particularly for rent supplement, if cognisance is taken of weekly outgoings, and where persons who have loans, if that can be considered as part of the assessment where such persons make an application for rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13439/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
The purpose of Rent Supplement is to provide short term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. Rent supplement is not payable where a person or their spouse or partner is in full-time employment, that is, for 30 hours or more a week. However, provision was made in 2007 whereby a person in receipt of rent supplement, who is accepted as eligible for accommodation under the rental accommodation scheme, may return to full-time work, subject to a means test, and still be considered for a rent supplement payment.
Rent supplement is normally calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) appropriate to their family circumstances less a minimum contribution which recipients are required to pay from their own resources. The weekly minimum contribution is €30 for a single adult household and €35 for coupled households. Many recipients pay more than this amount because recipients are also required, subject to income disregards, to contribute any additional assessable means that they have over and above the appropriate basic SWA rate towards their accommodation costs.
Where a person has additional income in excess of the standard weekly rate of SWA, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded for means assessment purposes. This means test ensures that those returning to part-time work (up to 30 hours a week or full-time for those accepted as having a housing need under RAS) or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity. Gross income less PRSI and reasonable travel expenses are taken into account for the means test. Other necessary expenses may be allowed in the case of self employment. However, the assessment does not allow for deductions in respect of repayments on loans.
There are many factors which determine rent supplement entitlement, including the number of hours worked, the level of earned income and any social welfare payments or whether the rent payable is within prescribed limits. As such, based on the example outlined by the Deputy, it is not possible to say for certain if the household would qualify for a rent supplement payment.
118 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees who went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13304/12]
The information requested by the Deputy, as conveyed to my Department by the relevant bodies, is contained in the table:
|
State Body/Agency |
Board members appointed by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht since his appointment. |
Chairpersons appointed by the Minister since his appointment. |
Were the board vacancies publicly advertised? |
Details of appointees who applied through the publicly advertised process. |
Details of nominees who appeared before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. |
|
Heritage Council |
Dr. Ciara BreathnachDr. Kieran O’ConorTed CreedonCatherine HeaneyDr. Fidelma MullaneMichael Parsons |
None |
Yes |
Ted CreedonMichael Parsons |
None |
|
Arts Council |
Eimear O’ConnorCiaran WalshMark O’ReganJohn Fanning |
None |
Yes |
None |
None |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
Fred Krehbiel |
None |
No; this appointment was underway prior to the new arrangements concerning the appointment of State board members. |
None |
None |
|
National Concert Hall |
Kieran Tobin (Chair)Dearbhla CollinsJohn McGraneLaurie CearrGina MenziesBruce ArnoldMargaret RyanRay BatesAlma HynesArtemis KentDeborah KelleherPeter McEvoyPat HeneghanRachel HolsteadPatricia Slavin |
Kieran Tobin |
Yes |
12 of the appointees submitted expressions of interest.Kieran Tobin (Chair)Dearbhla CollinsJohn McGraneLaurie CearrGina MenziesBruce ArnoldMargaret RyanRay BatesDeborah KelleherPat HeneghanRachel HolsteadPatricia Slavin |
Mr Tobin appeared before the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
John Bowen (Chair)Sheila MaguireNoel O’KeefeÚna FeelyJim CorrTim BrosnanTim Lucey |
John Bowen |
No; all of the appointments were re-appointments. |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
Patricia Donlon |
None |
Yes |
None |
None |
For completeness, the table below sets out appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency, which comprise An Foras Teanga. Appointments to the boards of the North/South bodies are not made by the Minister but by the North South Ministerial Council arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.
|
State Body/Agency |
Board members appointed since the appointment of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht. |
Chairpersons appointed by the Minister since his appointment. |
Details of board vacancies publicly advertised. |
Details of appointees who applied through the publicly advertised process. |
Details of nominees who appeared before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl (Chair)Eoghan Mac Cormaic (Vice Chair)Pól CallaghanColm CavanaghÁine Ní ChiaráinBríd Ní ChonghóileLiam KennedySeosamh Mac DonnchadhaTomás Mac EochagáinMarcus Mac RuairiSeán Mícheál Ó DómhnaillDónal Ó hAiniféinTherese RuaneTomás SharkeyCáitríona Ní Shúilleabháin |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl |
N/A; Foras na Gaeilge is an agency of the North South Language Body. The appointments were made by the North South Ministerial Council, on the basis of 50:50 nominations from each jurisdiction. |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
Tom Scott (Chair)Tony Crooks (Vice Chair)Ida FisherWilliam LeathamVal O’KellyHilary SingletonSharon Tracey-DunneTrevor Wilson |
Tom Scott |
N/A; The Ulster Scots Agency is an agency of the North South Language Body. The appointments were made by the North South Ministerial Council, on the basis of 50:50 nominations from each jurisdiction. |
N/A |
N/A |
119 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are plans in place to reopen the rivers Finn and Foyle to fishing and a timeframe for same. [13271/12]
I can advise the Deputy that the Rivers in question are part of the Foyle catchment and as such are under the jurisdiction of the Loughs Agency of the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, which is a North-South Body established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
I am advised that under the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) Regulations 2010 that if the management target of 5,410 adult salmon to be recorded over the River Finn fish counter is not exceeded in each of any two of the previous five calendar years, then the Agency is required to "suspend netting in the River Foyle, Lough Foyle and seaward of Lough Foyle". I am further advised as the management targets have not been exceeded netting remains suspended under the requirements of the 2010 regulations and in line with the conservation imperative.
I am also informed that the Rivers Finn and Foyle are not closed to angling. However, in the current circumstances, the 2010 regulations require the Agency to restrict to "catch and release" basis to minimise mortalities. Any plans to reopen the Rivers and a prospective timeframe for same would be dependant on the management targets being achieved and I am advised that the Loughs Agency is keeping matters under ongoing review.
120 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees who went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13306/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that on the 3rd of June 2011 I invited Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department where vacancies for appointment were expected to occur up to the end of 2011. On 9th February 2012 I invited further expressions of interest from persons wishing to serve on any of the Boards under the aegis of my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that appointments to State Boards are made in accordance with the relevant governing statute and the Minister is not obliged to make appointments from tendered expressions of interest but has the discretion to do so if he or she considers it appropriate.
I also wish to inform the Deputy that the Broadcasting Act 2009 (No. 18 of 2009) and the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (No. 10 of 2010), provide that a number of Board members may be appointed by the Minister to the Boards established under these statutes on foot of nominations made by the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee. I have made no appointments to these Boards since taking office. The table details all appointments to State Boards which have been made by me since the 9th of March 2011 and in relation to these appointments, indicates where an expression of interest has been received. There were no appointments made to positions of Chairperson.
|
Body |
Appointee |
Expression of interest received |
|
An Post |
Mr. Donal Connell |
No |
|
Mr. James Wrynn |
Yes |
|
|
Mr. Paul Henry |
Yes |
|
|
Bord na Móna |
Ms Denise Cronin |
No |
|
EirGrid |
Dr. Gary Healy |
No |
|
Ms Regina Moran |
Yes |
|
|
Mr. Liam O’Halloran |
Yes |
|
|
Ms Bride Rosney |
No |
|
|
Ms Doireann Barry |
No |
|
|
ESB |
Ms Noreen Wright |
No |
|
Mr. Seamus Mallon |
No |
|
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
Mr. Sean Fitzgerald |
No |
|
Mr. Vincent Caffrey |
No |
|
|
*Ms Aoife MacEvilly |
No |
|
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
Ms Aoife MacEvilly* |
No |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
Ms Julie O’Neill |
Yes |
|
Mr. Michael Conlon |
No |
*Official in my Department
121 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Electric Ireland contracts work to Northern Ireland companies for the purpose of retrofitting Irish homes under the better energy homes scheme; if so, the reasons for contracting out such projects to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13365/12]
This is an operational matter for Electric Ireland and I have no role or responsibility in the matter.
122 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date on which an application to the warmer home scheme that was originally made with Cúnamh in April 2011 and was transferred over to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in June 2010 will be dealt with (details supplied). [13415/12]
Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed on behalf of my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations, augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. My Department is advised that the person in question is on the Better Energy: Warmer Homes waiting list and will be dealt with in rotation. Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
123 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the noise nuisance Bill is due to come before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13327/12]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to take further steps to address noise pollution, inter alia, through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on-the-spot fines) and provision for mediation procedures between neighbours. The development of new noise legislation by my Department will be considered in the context of this commitment; however, as indicated in the Government Legislation Programme published on 11 January 2012, it is not possible at this time to indicate when the legislation will be published, having regard to other priorities in the area concerned and the broader range of legislative priorities to be progressed across my Department’s remit.
125 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a sewerage scheme for Laurencetown, Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13269/12]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €130 million in Co. Galway during the period of the Programme. However, the Laurencetown Sewerage Scheme was not amongst the priority contracts and schemes selected for inclusion in the current Programme.
The Programme aims to prioritise projects that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Galway County Council, in response to my Department's request to the authorities in 2009 to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works in their areas. These were subsequently appraised in the Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. Inevitably, through this process, certain projects that had been proposed had to give way to others that were more strategically important at that time.
Progress under the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 was reviewed in mid-2011 and through this process, consideration was given to any newly emerging priority contracts and schemes submitted by local authorities for addition to the Programme. No proposal for the Laurencetown Sewerage Scheme was received from Galway County Council in response to the review.
126 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the expenditure of regeneration funding in 2011 in respect of the eastern quadrant regeneration project in Sligo that is funding expended on staff salaries, consultants’ fees, firms providing professional services, community workers and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13274/12]
A total of €2,234,530 was recouped to Sligo Borough Council in respect of the regeneration project for 2011. Details of the amounts recouped in relation to professional services and on various staff costs associated with the project are set out in the following table:
|
Amount |
|
|
€ |
|
|
Staff — Sligo Borough Council |
412,907 |
|
Consultants/Professional Services |
73,039 |
|
Community Wardens |
72,954 |
|
Tenancy Support Project |
25,334 |
|
Community Sports Programme |
15,000 |
|
Cranmore Community Co-op |
17,816 |
127 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 2 November 2011, in view of the delay involved in issuing a response to date if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13275/12]
Having regard to the constraints on staff time and resources and the focus on delivering the national regeneration programme, it has not been possible so far to complete a trawl of all the records relating to the 2009 regeneration programme and to compile the very extensive information requested. This task will be completed as quickly as possible and the information forwarded to the Deputy.
128 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in a tabular form, a list of the city and county managers who have retired since 1995 to the end of February 2012; the local authority they retired from; their age on retirement; the number of added years they received on retirement; the amount of the special severance gratuity payment received on retirement, lump sum received and annual pension payment. [13279/12]
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
129 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to Leader funding, if it is true to say that in Europe it is being suggested that instead of 50% funding that 75% be granted towards projects which are approved; if he will clarify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13280/12]
Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), for which my Department has responsibility, continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. The main objectives of the RDP are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. The RDP is designed to address directly many of the challenges facing rural communities including the need to increase economic activity and stimulate job creation; improve access to basic services for rural dwellers and encourage rural tourism based on sustainable development of natural resources. The programme is inclusive in its approach to arriving at solutions to such challenges using a "bottom up method" where local communities provide local solutions.
In general, the rates of grant aid available under the measures of the RDP are 50% for private promoters and 75% for Community promoters with some higher rates available for specific activities such as Training (100%) and Analysis and Development (90%). In recent times, due mainly to the current economic climate, it has been difficult for private individuals and community groups to obtain the matched funding required to avail of this support level, particularly for larger projects. In an effort to address these and other issues my Department is preparing proposals for a suite of measures relating to the delivery of the RDP which have to be submitted through the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, to the European Commission for approval. It is likely to take some time for the proposals to be considered and decisions made.
The results of this approval process will be communicated to all Local Development Companies (LDCs) as soon as it is available. In the meantime, there is a provision of €96m in my Department's 2012 budget for the RDP which LDCs have at their disposal to spend in line with the requirements of the programme.
130 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a recent proposal from a parish residents’ association in Dublin 13 (details supplied) that the household charge be abolished or deferred for 2012 and that the public are fully consulted about any new and fair funding mechanism that is devised for local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13298/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.
The development of a system of local government funding which is fair, stable and effective and brings greater local responsibility in relation to financial matters is an essential feature in the programme of reform of the local government sector. I have recently established an inter-Departmental expert Group to design an equitable property tax to replace the interim household charge having regard to its terms of reference. A public call for submissions from interested organisations and members of the public was made on 17 February, 2012 and submissions have been requested before 16 March 2012. Further details regarding this public consultation are available from my Department's website www.environ.ie. This Group on Property Tax has been asked to report to me by end April, 2012. I will then bring proposals to Government for decisions on the structure and modalities of the property tax.
131 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees who went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13309/12]
The information requested is outlined in the table:
|
Agency/Board |
Name of Appointee (Chairperson highlighted) |
Position advertised |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Dr. Mary Kelly (Chairperson) |
Yes |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Ms Mary MacMahon |
No |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Mr. Conall Boland |
No |
|
Building Regulation Advisory Board |
Mr. Aidan O’Connor (Departmental representative) |
No |
|
Building Regulation Advisory Board |
Mr. Paul Kelly |
No |
|
Building Regulation Advisory Board |
Mr. Conor Taaffe |
No |
|
Dormant Accounts Board |
Mr. Michael Morley (Chairperson) |
No (reappointed) |
|
Dormant Accounts Board |
Mr. Des Gunning |
No (reappointed) |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
Ms Laura Burke (Director General) |
Yes |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
Dr. Michelle Norris (Chairperson) |
Yes |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
Mr. John Hogan (Department of Finance nominee) |
No |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
Mr. Phillip Nugent (Departmental representative) |
No |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Ms Breda Collins (Chairperson) |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. John Considine |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Michael Cuddihy |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Tom Doyle |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Brendan McGrath |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Paul Murphy |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Seamus O’Neill |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Martin O’Sullivan |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Ms Anne Ryan |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Ms Lola O’Sullivan |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Christy McDonagh |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
Mr. Tim O’Sullivan (Departmental representative) |
No |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Mr. Rich Howlin (Chairperson) |
No |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Mr. John O’Connor |
No |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Mr. Eddie Lewis (Departmental representative) |
No |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Ms Marie McLaughlin |
No |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Mr. Peter Carey |
No |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Ms Ann McGuinness |
No |
|
Local Government Computer Services Board |
Mr. Eddie Breen (Chairperson) |
No |
|
Local Government Computer Services Board |
Mr. Michael Malone |
No |
|
Local Government Computer Services Board |
Mr. Barry Quinlan (Departmental representative) |
No |
|
Local Government Management Services Board |
Mr. Eddie Breen (Chairperson) |
No |
|
Local Government Management Services Board |
Mr. Donal Enright (Departmental representative) |
No |
|
Local Government Management Services Board |
Mr. Michael Malone |
No |
|
Local Government Management Services Board |
Mr. Barry Quinlan (Departmental representative) |
No |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
Mr. Tom Coughlan |
No |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
Mr. Tim Ryan |
Yes |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
Ms Tricia Sheehy Skeffington |
Yes |
|
Radiological Protection Institute Ireland |
Professor William Reville (Chairperson) |
Yes |
|
Radiological Protection Institute Ireland |
Dr. Paraic James |
Yes |
|
Radiological Protection Institute Ireland |
Dr. Maurice Fitzgerald |
No |
|
Radiological Protection Institute Ireland |
Dr. Patricia Cunningham |
No |
A notice was placed on my Department's website on 19 July, 2011 seeking expressions of interest, from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of state bodies under the aegis of my Department. The notice is updated regularly as specific vacancies arise. However, expressions of interest can be made at any time and will be kept on file in my Department for consideration as vacancies occur. All appointments are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In considering applications due regard is had to Government policy regarding gender balance on State Boards.
A number of different statutory processes are involved in appointments to State boards. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Government or by the Minister. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Boards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and An Bord Pleanála are executive in nature and members are employed on a full time salaried basis. The appointments as Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála and Director General of the EPA were made after competitions held by the Public Appointments Service.
The Chair of the Board for the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA) has been re-appointed on an interim basis pending enactment of legislation in respect of the HSCA.
The following members were appointed to the Board of Pobal, a not for profit company under the aegis of my Department, by Government:
Mr. Séamus Boland (Chair),
Mr. Thomas Maguire,
Mr. Liam Keane,
Ms Siobhan McLoughlin,
Ms Jennifer McHugh,
Mrs. Mari Hurley.
Article 3 of the Articles of Association of Pobal requires the Minister to consider nominations received from a list of stakeholders and the Social Partners defined by Government in 2005. The list comprises:
National Social Partners
Social Partners party to the Sustaining Progress Agreement;
and Stakeholders
Area and Community Partnership,
County childcare Committees, and
City and County Managers Association.
A consultation process was conducted in June/July 2011 and the Minister considered 22 nominations received from the Stakeholders and the National Social Partners in bringing forward proposals to Government for the appointments to the vacant positions on the board.
Before being formally appointed to the Radiological Protection Institute Ireland, Professor William Reville appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht, on 23 November 2011. A request has been sent to the Oireachtas Committee to meet Dr. Michelle Norris, Chairperson of the Housing Finance Agency.
My Department has put in place procedures whereby the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht will be notified of nominations as Chairperson of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department prior to their appointment. Chairs of State Bodies are in general available to appear before the relevant Oireachtas committees.
132 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that has been made by him in relation to the agreement between the Irish Detergent and Allied Products Association regarding the phasing out of the marketing of phosphate-based domestic laundry detergent products here; if he will confirm that all detergents now being sold here are phosphate free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13318/12]
The phasing out of phosphate-based laundry detergents has been progressed principally in the context of a voluntary agreement made in 1999 between the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government and the Irish Cosmetics and Detergents Association (ICDA), which represented some 90% of the domestic laundry detergents market in Ireland. The agreement provided that by the end of 2002, 95% of all domestic laundry detergents marketed in Ireland should be zero-phosphate. This target was substantially achieved — figures submitted by ICDA at that time indicated a market share of between 93% and 94% for phosphate free products.
The Chemicals Acts 2008 and 2010, for which the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation has responsibility, provide for the implementation and enforcement in Ireland of a number of directly applicable European Regulations, including the Detergents Regulation. An amendment to the Detergents Regulation has been adopted by the European Parliament and by the European Council and will be published shortly in the Official Journal of the European Union, from which date it will become binding on member states. The amending Regulation, which effectively supersedes the voluntary agreement, restricts the use of phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in domestic laundry detergents and will be applicable from 30 June 2013.
It is estimated that the total load of phosphorous from household detergents entering Ireland's rivers and lakes is a relatively small proportion (less than 1%) of the total load from all sources. The most recent (2010) data available indicate that there has been a 66% reduction in phosphorous loading entering the sea from our major rivers, compared to the average loading entering the sea for the period 1990-1997.
133 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 584 of 11 January 2012, if he will further investigate who is liable for the household charge when the bank or property company now owns the home, with the householder having been given a life estate and treated as a tenant without having to pay any rent, and whereby the lender is in possession of the title deeds. [13340/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver.
Section 1 of the Act provides a definition of "owner" for the purposes of the Act which, in relation to a residential property, means—
(a) a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who—
(i) in the case of a residential property that is let under a lease or held under a tenancy for a term not exceeding 20 years, is entitled to receive the rent under that lease or tenancy whether in his or her own right or as trustee or agent for another person, or
(ii) in the case of a residential property that is not so let or so held, would, subject to paragraph (b), be so entitled if the residential property were so let or so held, whether in that person’s own right or as trustee or agent for another person,
or
(b) where the property is let under a lease or held under a tenancy for a term exceeding 20 years, the person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who is the lessee under that lease or tenant under that tenancy.
Section 2 of the Act specifies what is residential property for the purposes of the legislation. While the Act places the household charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority, the charge is on a self assessment basis, and interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the Courts.
134 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following the reported reluctance of some citizens to provide their personal public service numbers to the Local Government Management Agency, if he can clarify if a citizen can in fact be legally obliged to surrender a personal public service number to the Local Government Management Agency. [13342/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Under section 5(1) of the Act, the owner of a residential property, who on a liability date, is liable to pay a household charge to a relevant local authority, or who is entitled to a waiver from payment of a household charge under section 4(4), must make and provide to the relevant local authority a declaration stating that he or she is so liable or so entitled, as the case may be. Under section 5(2) of the Act, the declaration must, in the case of a person who is liable to pay a household charge, be accompanied by payment of the household charge in respect of the property concerned.
Article 5(2) of the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 requires a household charge declaration to contain information, including the personal public service number of the person who, in the case of an individual, is the owner of the property, or the tax reference number of a company which is the owner of the property. These numbers are required for identification purposes, particularly in the context of owners of residential property with similar names located in close proximity.
135 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the residents of an incomplete estate (details supplied) are not exempt from the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13352/12]
As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, published by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows:
Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no serious public safety issues exist;
Category two, where a receiver has been appointed;
Category three, where a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but effectively inactive; and
Category four, where the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.
Other relevant factors for the purposes of the categorisation process include, inter alia:
the state of completion of roads, footpaths, public lighting, piped water and sewerage facilities and open spaces or similar amenities within the development;
the extent to which the development complies with the terms of applicable planning permission;
the extent to which it complies with the provisions of the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007;
the provisions of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 as they pertain to dangerous places and dangerous structures within the meaning of the Act;
the extent to which facilities within the development have been taken in charge by the local authority concerned; and
where there is an agreement regarding the maintenance of such facilities, the extent to which this agreement has been complied with.
This categorisation formed the basis for the list of those unfinished developments eligible for a waiver on the annual household charge. Only households in developments in categories three and four are eligible for the waiver from payment of the household charge. This list of developments in which households are eligible for the waiver in 2012 is set out under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012.
136 Deputy Alex White asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the established information technology, IT, infrastructure for collection of the non-principal private residence, NPPR, charge and the fact that electronic contact details are held of those registered to pay the NPPR charge, if he will consider utilising this channel of communication to ensure those registered are now informed of the necessity to pay the household charge on the relevant property on or before 31 March 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13376/12]
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January, 2012 to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, that person is required to declare that liability and to pay the household charge by 31 March, 2012.
Significant efforts are being made to ensure that property owners are aware of the household charge and the requirements to make a declaration of liability and to pay the charge by 31 March, 2012. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which is administering the household charge on behalf of local authorities, and local authorities have commenced a national information campaign to advise people of their responsibilities in relation to discharging their liability to the household charge. A similar and successful advertising and information campaign was undertaken in the context of the €200 charge on non-principal private residences on its introduction in 2009 with further advertising taking place each year since.
A household charge information leaflet is being issued to residential properties in the State and radio advertising campaigns and interviews, including adverts on social media and other websites together with other appropriate communication measures and initiatives are being undertaken in the period up to the payment date of 31 March, 2012. I am confident that those liable to the household charge will be aware of their obligation to discharge their liability for the charge by completing the requisite declaration form and paying the household charge by 31 March 2012 and thereby avoiding any late payment fees or late payment interest.
My Department and the LGMA are engaging with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in the context of data sharing generally for the purposes of the household charge. This includes considerations surrounding the use of contact details obtained for the purposes of the charge on non-principal private residences (NPPR) in the context of the household charge.
137 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when legislation is expected to improve the shared ownership mortgage scheme with particular reference to the need to facilitate those who find themselves unemployed and the need to enable those wishing to move from inadequate or overcrowded accommodation to family-sized homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13384/12]
144 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he has sought or received information from the various local authorities relating to shared ownership mortgages in distress with particular reference to clarification as to the way the repayments on some such mortgages are higher than ordinary mortgages notwithstanding the fact that only partial equity is involved; if he has received communication from the local authorities with a view to some resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 144 together.
The review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts announced in the context of the standing down of affordable housing schemes as part of the Government's housing policy statement will include an examination of the operational aspects of the shared ownership scheme. Any future changes to legislation governing affordable housing schemes will be informed by that review which will shortly commence. My Department recently commenced collating data in respect of local authority mortgage arrears. The latest data available, to end September 2011, show that some 28% of all local authority mortgages are in arrears of 90 days or more. A breakdown of this data by house purchase scheme (e.g. shared ownership, affordable housing, tenant purchase etc.) is not available.
Under the Shared Ownership scheme the rent charged on the local authority's equity in a shared ownership transaction is to cover the funding costs to the Housing Finance Agency which are based on borrowings at the prevailing interest rates. Any difference between the rent and prevailing interest rate is reflected in the capital outstanding on the property, i.e. if the rent charged in any period is greater than the prevailing mortgage interest due on the local authority's share the purchase price of the outstanding equity will be reduced accordingly.
139 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the level of groundwater and air pollutants have been identified and the extent of the measures put in place to address any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13386/12]
With regard to air pollutants, ambient air quality monitoring and assessment in Ireland is carried out in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The CAFE Directive consolidated and replaced the earlier Air Quality Framework Directive and the first three so-called "daughter" directives.
The CAFE Directive has been transposed into national legislation by the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011. These regulations set limit values/target values for the following pollutants:
Sulphur Dioxide;
Nitrogen Dioxide and Oxides of Nitrogen;
Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5);
Lead;
Benzene;
Carbon Monoxide; and
Ozone.
In addition, the Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Nickel and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air Regulations 2009 transpose the fourth "daughter" Directive 2004/107/EC and specify target values and monitoring requirements for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic hydrocarbons.
The EPA publishes a comprehensive annual report on air quality, the most recent being the report, Air Quality in Ireland 2010 — Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, published in September 2011. This report provides an overview of ambient air quality trends in Ireland in 2010 based on data from 28 monitoring stations. The Report confirmed that air quality in Ireland continues to be good and remains among the best in Europe. In 2010, measured values for the above mentioned pollutants were all below limit and target values set out in legislation. On the issue of groundwater pollutants, I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 49 and 138 on today's Order Paper.
140 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his preferred options for the future development of the part-time fire services throughout the country; the extent to which full-time service is likely to emerge in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13387/12]
The 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 a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting of general policy, training support and issue of guidance on operational and other related matters, and the provision of capital funding.
The cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford have full-time fire services, and Drogheda and Dundalk have a combined full-time and retained service. Fire services in all other communities are provided by the retained system where, in the event of an emergency call, the relevant group of fire-fighters are alerted, respond to their fire station and turn-out to the incident in their fire appliance. The retained services provide an excellent model of service delivery where, to a substantial degree, a contingent rather than continuous capability is required. I have no plans to change fundamentally what I regard as an excellent community service delivered by the local authorities.
Nonetheless, there is a constant need for progress with all services. The Irish Fire Services National Development Framework 2010-2015 (available at www.environ.ie) sets out a national blueprint and programme for developing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Fire Services. It sets out key actions in a number of areas, and these are being progressed in a collaborative fashion between the local authorities and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in my Department.
141 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of reported incidents of pollution arising from the malfunction or inadequacy of municipal waste water treatment plants; the action taken or pending arising therefrom on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13388/12]
The EPA reports on quality of effluents being discharged from treatment plants, sewers or drainage pipes that are controlled or used by local authorities. The EPA published its latest report Focus on Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland for the monitoring period 2008/2009 in February 2012. The report also includes data on the Agency's enforcement activities and information on discharges or occurrences with the potential for environmental contamination, statistics on waste water discharge authorisations up to 2011. A copy of the report is available on the EPA website at www.epa.ie.
The EPA reports, the River Basin Management Plans and needs assessments submitted by the local authorities were key inputs into the development of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012. The Investment Programme, which is presented on both a river basin district basis and on a county basis, is available in the Oireachtas Library
142 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he has studied the number of applicants on local authority housing waiting lists on a county or authority basis; when it might be expected that such applicants’ needs will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13389/12]
In terms of the delivery of social housing, the Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. The Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government's objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).
My Department does not hold information on the number of households on local authorities' waiting lists. This figure continuously fluctuates as households are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. Detailed information on the latest statutory assessment of housing need carried out in March 2011, including a breakdown by housing authority, is available on my Department's website —www.environ.ie or on the Housing Agency’s website at www.housing.ie.
143 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent if any to which he has examined the possibility of enhancing the local loans fund as a means of facilitating those on local authority waiting lists who might be in a position to provide themselves with a home in the event of mortgage availability; if he will examine the methods used in the 1980s to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13390/12]
No funding restrictions have been placed on local authorities for the purposes of providing loan finance for house purchase or home improvement. Allocations totalling over €51m issued to local authorities for House Purchase and House Improvement lending in April 2011, an increase of almost €20m (or 61%) on the 2010 allocation of almost €31m. These allocations represent borrowings ceilings rather than financial provisions. Allocations for the provision of loan finance in 2012 are currently being prepared.
145 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent, if any, to which he has monitored enforced sales of residential property with a view to identifying the extent to which any such properties are being purchased by first time buyers or investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13392/12]
148 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he has monitored sales of property by the National Asset Management Agency with a view to identifying the extent if any to which such residential property has been acquired by first time home buyers; the proportion of such disposals that have gone to investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13395/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 148 together.
The information sought is not collected by my Department. I have no function in respect of the sale of private residential property or the sale of property by the National Asset Management Agency.
146 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of landlords registered in each of the years 2002 to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13393/12]
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector and the Act provides that landlords in the sector must apply to register the tenancy of a dwelling with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the Act. The PRTB publishes a range of statistics, including tenancy registrations, in its Annual Reports which are available on the PRTB's website www.prtb.ie and the most recent report relates to 2010. Copies of the Annual Reports are also available in the Oireachtas library.
147 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that voluntary housing authorities are in compliance with the relevant legislation and good governance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13394/12]
The Government's Housing Policy Statement, published in June 2011, identifies approved housing bodies (AHBs) as key partners in the delivery of social housing. This recognises both the constrained funding levels available for local authority construction programmes and the capacity and track-record of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector.
AHBs are uniquely placed to help drive the achievement of the housing supply responses set out in the policy statement. However, the move from capital funded programmes of construction and acquisition by approved housing bodies to more revenue funded options presents challenges for them. As such, I intend to develop an enabling regulatory framework for the sector that will provide support and assurance both to the sector itself and to its external partners as it takes on the expanded role envisaged for it in the policy statement and to underline its status as a viable and attractive investment opportunity for financial institutions.
I will develop this framework in consultation with the sector but I expect that it will:
assist approved housing bodies to develop key governance and management structures to facilitate an expanded remit;
provide independent scrutiny and validation of such bodies' competences; and
place sustainable housing management policies and practices at the heart of a coordinated approach to the development of the sector.
The development of such a regulatory framework which is both robust and harmonised with the varying capacities of individual AHBs will take some time. In the interim my Department is actively working with the sector on the development of a voluntary code which I expect most bodies will endorse. This code, which should be finalised and agreed in the coming months, will serve as a learning opportunity for the sector and for my Department as we develop a longer-term statutory framework that will best support the enhanced role of AHBs. I expect that the code will set out, inter alia, key basic principles of good governance and financial management and will also set out the range of reporting obligations that currently apply to the sector.
149 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of staff members at the various local authorities that have availed of the recent early retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13396/12]
No early retirement scheme was in place for local authority staff. However, a total of 985 staff retired from local authorities in the period 1 January 2012 to 29 February 2012. A breakdown by local authority is set out in the table:
|
City Councils and County Councils (Borough and Town Councils included in relevant County Council figures) |
Numbers of Retirements from 01 January 2012 to 29 February 2012 inclusive |
|
City Councils |
|
|
Cork |
31 |
|
Dublin |
203 |
|
Galway |
8 |
|
Limerick |
19 |
|
Waterford |
15 |
|
County Councils |
|
|
Carlow |
9 |
|
Cavan |
25 |
|
Clare |
29 |
|
Cork |
59 |
|
Donegal |
37 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
24 |
|
Fingal |
50 |
|
Galway |
29 |
|
Kerry |
31 |
|
Kildare |
24 |
|
Kilkenny |
15 |
|
Laois |
16 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
|
Limerick |
36 |
|
Longford |
9 |
|
Louth |
17 |
|
Mayo |
41 |
|
Meath |
18 |
|
Monaghan |
13 |
|
Offaly |
8 |
|
Roscommon |
12 |
|
Sligo |
11 |
|
South Dublin |
62 |
|
Tipperary North |
13 |
|
Tipperary South |
18 |
|
Waterford |
19 |
|
Westmeath |
14 |
|
Wexford |
28 |
|
Wicklow |
26 |
150 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any plans to introduce legislation to allow tenants of co-op housing to purchase the houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13416/12]
Under the terms of the Incremental Purchase scheme introduced in June 2010, new houses provided by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies and designated under the scheme may be purchased by their tenants. As regards the sale to tenants of existing houses provided by approved bodies, my Department is currently examining, in consultation with the relevant bodies, the future funding and governance arrangements for the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. The need for any policy and legislative changes, including changes to facilitate the sale to tenants of houses provided by approved housing bodies, will be considered in the light of the outcome of this examination.
151 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the environmental liability Bill; if he will provide an update on any action taken by the EU Commission against Ireland for failing to enact the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13418/12]
The European Communities (Environmental Liability) Regulations 2008, which came into operation on 1 April 2009, transpose the EU Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) into Irish law. The case taken by the European Commission against Ireland for failure to transpose the ELD by the required deadline — 30 April 2007 — was discontinued by the Commission on 19 February 2009, following the transposition of the Directive in Ireland by way of the 2008 Regulations. The European Commission had previously issued a letter of formal notice to Ireland on 31 May 2007, followed by a reasoned opinion on 31 January 2008.
While the 2008 Regulations fulfil our transposition requirements, there are a number of discretionary provisions in the Directive which Ireland can choose to transpose if we wish, for which primary legislation will be required. My Department is currently working with the Office of the Attorney General to draft an Environmental Liability Bill to deal with the discretions that Ireland is proposing to adopt.
To ensure transparency in the requirements of the legislation, the Environmental Liability Bill will give effect to all of the Directive; this will mean revoking the Environmental Liability Regulations and transposing the Directive in its entirety, including the discretions, in primary legislation. The Bill is due to be published by the end of this year.
152 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the specific draft regulations under section 70L of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2011 will be published; if commencement of the Act will be deferred pending the publication of the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13424/12]
I refer to my reply to Questions Nos. 1 and 2 on today's Order of Business. I will sign a Commencement Order for the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 in advance of the commencement of the registration system which is expected to be operational in mid-April 2012.
153 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to introduce measures to support retailers in combating fraudulent online purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13262/12]
154 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the work of the Garda fraud investigation bureau in combatting identity theft, including card fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13263/12]
155 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline any recourse available to retailers who have been victims of card fraud; if his attention has been drawn to the particular difficulties online retailers have in verifying credit card purchases as the purchased items have often been shipped before the fraud is identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 155, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will appreciate that the questions posed raise issues that would go beyond the remit of my Department, including matters concerning the operation of payment services systems and best practice in doing business on-line. Of course, I do appreciate that in the current economic climate, the challenges faced by retailers who struggle to maintain profitability, bring into ever sharper focus the losses that can be incurred through fraudulent activity.
We know that transactions carried out on-line, generally referred to as Card Not Present transactions, do present an added risk to the retailer given neither the presence of the card nor the cardholder, and the fact that a PIN is not used. I am informed by the Garda authorities, that the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI), for its part, regularly offers crime prevention advice in regard to Card Not Present fraud as crime trends in this area demand or necessitate, with information provided to alert retailers, industry and the public in general. In addition, initiatives targeting those involved in this type of criminality are frequently undertaken by GBFI.
The Payment Card & Counterfeit Currency Unit (PCCCU) at GBFI is the designated National Unit with primary responsibility for the investigation of Payment Card Fraud in all its guises. Members of the PCCCU work closely with Europol and other European and international law enforcement agencies in targeting groups that are involved in this type of criminality. Nationally, the PCCCU liaises directly with the industry through the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation (IPSO) and the Irish Banking Federation (IBF). The PCCCU also works in close association with the National Crime Prevention Office in raising public awareness and delivering crime prevention advice.
I am also informed that the card payments industry, together with GBFI, continues to promote the use of security features / authentication systems among on-line retailers as a proven tool to reduce both losses and risks to the retailer. Of course, retailers must be proactive in this regard and ensure that they avail of all the security and fraud prevention methods that are available. Where fraud does occur it should be brought to the attention of the Garda authorities.
More generally, I should mention that as part of the White Paper on Crime process, which is under way at the moment, there has been extensive consultation on a range of matters including fraud and best practice in crime prevention. The outcome of the consultation process will be reflected in the proposed White Paper, which will set out the overall policy framework for future strategies to combat crime.
156 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the request by the Garda to the protesters at the Central Bank of Ireland, his view that we may need legislation to deal with these protesters who now have gone beyond what is reasonable in a democratic society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13273/12]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the situation concerning the protest encampment referred to had been monitored by An Garda Síochána for some time. The group in question were encamped on private property and there had been ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána, the group in question, the Central Bank and other interested parties. Policing of the protest was of course at all times an operational matter for An Garda Síochána.
I am further informed that An Garda Síochána recently requested the protesters to leave the encampment, particularly in the light of health and safety and public safety issues arising at the site. A positive response was not received to this request. Against this background, this morning the Gardaí removed the encampment. While I have no plans at present for changes in the relevant legislation, it is a matter which I will keep under review.
157 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13314/12]
I wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible to provide the information requested in the time available. The information is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.
158 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected position on an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13335/12]
I can inform the Deputy that the application has entered the final stage of processing and I intend to grant citizenship. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to him on 16 February, 2012. Once the prescribed fee and requested documents have been submitted, an invitation to a citizenship ceremony will issue to him at which he will make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish Nation and loyalty to the State and receive his certificate of naturalisation.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
159 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of accidents reported to the Garda at a crossroads (details supplied) each year from 2001 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13347/12]
In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.
160 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of entitlement to residency or naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13400/12]
The persons concerned were granted temporary permission to remain in the State in June 2000, under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish born children. This permission to remain was renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid until 6 December, 2012.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the first person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in December 2010. On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet the statutory requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 17 December, 2010.
There is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the second person referred to in the Deputy's question. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the prescribed statutory requirements. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that they have no record of any further application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
161 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when stamp 4 will be updated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13401/12]
The person in question has been asked to produce certain documentation in relation to his residence in the State. On production of satisfactory documentation, the situation regarding his residence in the State will be fully considered by my officials.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
162 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when it is expected to update stamp 4 or entitlement to naturalisation status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13402/12]
The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State until 3 March 2012. The person concerned was required to apply in writing one month before the end of the expiry period for the renewal of this permission. My Department's records show no evidence of such a renewal application having been made and consequently the person concerned is currently without permission to remain in the State.It is recommended that she should apply for renewal without further delay.
Officials in the Citizenship Division of INIS inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from this person. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
163 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of entitlement to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13403/12]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 205 on 7th March, 2012. The position remains as stated.
Reply to Parliamentary Question 205 of 7th March, 2012:
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in April, 2010.
The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
164 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13307/12]
The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The Civil Defence Act 2002 provides that the Board shall consist of at least eight but not more than fourteen members who shall be appointed by the Minister for Defence. Legislation is currently being drafted to dissolve the Civil Defence Board and transfer the functions of the Board back into the Department of Defence. I appointed the current Board as an interim measure from 11 July 2011. Membership of the interim Board appointed from 11 July 2011 is set out in the table:
|
Name |
Nominating Bodies |
|
Civil Defence Board Chairperson |
|
|
Mr. Brian SpainDirector, Department of Defence |
Nominated by Minister for Defence |
|
Civil Defence Board Members |
|
|
Mr. Cathal DuffyPrincipal Officer, Department of Defence |
Nominated by the Minister for Defence |
|
Ms Clare TiernanPrincipal Officer, Department of Defence |
Nominated by the Minister for Defence |
|
Mr. Robert MooneyPrincipal Officer, Department of Defence |
Nominated by the Minister for Defence |
|
Mr. Bill SmithDirector General, Civil Defence Board |
Appointed as Director General, Civil Defence Board |
|
Mr. Ned GleesonCounty Manager, Limerick City Council |
Nominated by City & County Managers Association |
|
Mr. Keith LeonardAssistant Fire Advisor |
Nominated by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government |
|
Dr. Barbara Rafferty |
Nominated by Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland |
|
Ms Becci Cantrell |
Nominated by the Environmental Protection Agency |
|
Ms Veronica FordeAssistant Civil Defence Officer |
Nominated by the Civil Defence Officers Association |
|
Lt. Col. Tony KellySSO, Defence Forces |
Nominated by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces |
|
Detective Superintendent Orla Mc PartlinAn Garda Síochána |
Nominated by the Commissioner of An GardaSíochána |
|
Mr. Fergal Conroy |
Elected volunteer member of Civil Defence |
|
Ms Eileen Joyce |
Elected staff member of the Civil Defence Board |
The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairman and the non military ordinary member are appointed by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
The position of Army Medical Corps ordinary member recently became vacant due to retirement, and I have appointed Commandant Adam Lagun to the Board on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff. As the Army Pensions Act 1927 specifies that one of the ordinary members must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps, this position was not publicly advertised. Details of Commandant Lagun's appointment to the Army Pensions Board were published in the Iris Oifigiúl on 13 January 2012.
No appointments have been made to the Board of Coiste an Asgard since I took office as Minister for Defence. In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. As a result, no funding has been provided since 2010. No appointments have been made since that decision was taken and the Board will be dissolved shortly.
165 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13303/12]
Since May of 2011 all vacancies on the State Boards that fall under my Department's remit are listed on the Department's website. Board appointments to a number of the bodies and agencies are not always made at my sole discretion. Instead, individuals are nominated for appointment by various organisations, specified in the relevant statute. These include the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Teagasc, National Milk Agency, Veterinary Council and Horse Racing Ireland.
There have been a number of appointments to State Boards during my tenure details of which can be found in the accompanying table. My Department also received a number of general applications for positions on any of the boards in question. The Chairs appointed have yet to be called before the relevant Oireachtas committee but are aware of this requirement.
|
Body/Agency |
No. of Board Members |
No. of Board appointments |
Name |
No. of applications received |
No. of applicants appointed |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
7 |
2 |
Brendan BriceCamilla Keane |
1 |
All appointments are specified under Section 23 of the Fisheries Amendment Act, 1997 |
|
An Bord Bia |
15 |
6 (including the Chair) |
Michael Carey (Chair)Gary BrownMichael CroninRhona HollandJohn KingstonBrody Sweeney |
14 |
All nominations from prescribed organisations |
|
Bord na gCon |
7 |
5 |
Philip Meaney (Chair)Matt MurphyBrendan MooreTim GilbertTony McNamee |
30 |
4 |
|
Coillte |
9 |
1 |
Oliver McCabe |
8 |
Union nomination |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
3 |
Noel MeadeNeville O’ByrneMary O’Connor |
7 |
All nominees of the Turf Club in accordance with Section 1 of the Horse Racing Ireland (Membership) Act, 2001 |
|
Teagasc |
11 |
1 |
Thomas Cooke |
1 |
Nomination by ICMSA |
|
Veterinary Council |
19 |
5 |
Michael SheahanPeadar Ó’ScanaillMichael SadlierDeirdre CampionMartin Blake |
0 |
No applications made as yet |
166 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an organic farming scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13338/12]
During the course of the initial processing of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) application submitted by the person named, discrepancies were discovered regarding the status of land parcels listed on the application form. These discrepancies have now been rectified. However, a further query has arisen in relation to the issue of the organic licence which is a condition of participation in the scheme. A letter has issued to the person named requesting that this point be clarified. Once resolved, the application of the person named will be processed without further delay.
167 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to the requests made to him to assist the pig production sector particularly in view of the rise in the price of feed and the difficulties accessing adequate credit facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13417/12]
I am aware of the concerns currently being expressed by the pig production sector, particularly in relation to feed costs and the availability of credit. The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agri-food sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. Notwithstanding this, high feed costs, most notably cereals and compound feed remain an issue. Pig producers are especially affected by the increase in cereal prices since June 2009, given that cereals account for 70% of feed.
Prices of pigmeat and of course feed are ultimately determined by demand and supply considerations. For my part, I will ask my officials to continue to explore with the European Commission all available market supports when circumstances require them, to ameliorate the worst effects of price volatility. Indeed last year's Aid to Private Storage Scheme for pigmeat played a significant role in putting a floor under pigmeat prices at that time. This, together with release of cereal stocks from intervention, improved the situation somewhat at that time.
I have held a number of meetings with representatives from the Irish Banking Federation to discuss the issues of credit and financing difficulties and have asked my officials to arrange a further meeting as soon as possible. I can assure the Deputy that my Department and its agencies will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure that it can continue to develop and grow in accordance with the targets in the Food Harvest 2020 Report.
168 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans regarding the opening of new fisheries sites for razor clams; the procedures that will have to be undertaken before a new site can be opened for harvesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13445/12]
The fishing industry identify fishing grounds and fishing opportunities in respect of stocks not subject to EU Total Allowable Catch and quotas, on a regular basis. I have no role in identifying new sites for razor clam fisheries, or indeed fisheries for any other fish species.
In order to fish for razor clams, a vessel must be registered in the polyvalent or specific segments of the fleet. Generally speaking, no additional consents are required from my Department at this time, though regulations may be introduced, as necessary, to ensure the conservation and rational exploitation of the stock or compliance with EU law. Certain regulations apply at present in relation to fishing for razor clams in Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford and in the area of Cahore, Co. Wexford. Regulations may also be introduced, as necessary, to protect designated habitats and species in Natura 2000 sites. Such regulations apply at present in relation to fishing for razor clams in Dundalk Bay, Co. Louth.
Under European food safety law, harvesting of shellfish for placing on the market must only take place from classified production areas. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority is the Competent Authority under Irish and European Food Safety legislation for the classification of live bivalve mollusc production areas. I have no role in relation to this process and, by law, the SFPA is independent in the performance of its functions. I have forwarded this question to the SFPA for direct reply in relation to this issue.
169 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by her, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13305/12]
I would like to inform the Deputy that the position in respect of my Department is that four agencies are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), the Family Support Agency (FSA), the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the children detention schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
In line with the Government Decision of April 2011, on my Department's website I have invited expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the Boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under the Department's aegis. The notice indicates the vacancies in the boards of the respective bodies. My officials acknowledge all expressions of interest received and maintain a database of those expressions. In making my decisions on appointments to Boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result. In relation to the NEWB, there have been four appointments to the Board since my appointment as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Mr. Brendan Broderick, Mr. Eamonn Flynn, Mr. Ruairí Gogan and Mr. Bob Dowling.
I have made one appointment to the Board of the AAI since my appointment namely Dr. Imelda Ryan. There is no Board for the Ombudsman for Children's Office.
In relation to the FSA, there have been ten members appointed to the Board since my appointment as Minister, namely Sharon Foley, Dick Hickey, Catherine Hazlett , Marie Fenlon, Yvette O'Malley (resigned 10 November, 2011), Liz Chaloner, Nuala Ryan, Imelda Martin, Caroline Murphy and Dr. Nollaig Byrne. Earlier today the Chairperson Designate, MsSharon Foley, appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.
With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the children detention schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001. I am in the process of making appointments to the Board of Management of the schools and will announce the full Board when all members have been appointed. The term of the previous Board expired in October 2011 and the vacancies for the current Board are currently listed on my Department's website. Earlier today the Chairperson Designate, Mr. Joe Horan, appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.
I hope to hear from the Chairman of the Committee shortly as to the outcome of these meetings with Ms Foley and Mr. Horan before I proceed with these appointments. The new arrangements introduced by this Government with regard to the availability of designated candidates for interview by Oireachtas Committee will apply as appropriate in the case of Chairpersons of Boards and I can confirm that there have been no situations in my Department where this process has not occurred.
170 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the options for free preschool education that are available to the parents of a child with Down’s syndrome (details supplied) whose child currently avails of the early childhood care and education scheme five days a week. [13423/12]
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school.
The programme includes a number of additional provisions to take account of children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child is developmentally delayed and would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Application for these exemptions must be made prior to the child commencing the programme. As the child in question is availing of the full free pre-school complement in this academic year, there is no further entitlement under the ECCE programme.
Funding is also provided by my Department to support the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which enables community-based childcare services to provide childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families. For the purpose of the CCS programme, disadvantage and low income are determined by reference to a range of means-tested allowances and payments including receipt of a social welfare payment, Family Income Supplement (FIS) and qualification for a medical or GP visit card. Eligibility for a GP visit card is based on net income and takes account of outgoings such as rent and mortgage repayments and other expenses including childcare costs and travelling expenses. As a result, parents with middle incomes may also benefit from subvention.
Parents who consider that they qualify for support under the this programme should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee to establish exactly what participating community facilities are available in their area.
171 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13249/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
172 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13251/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
173 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13256/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
174 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13265/12]
In relation to this particular case I have been informed by the HSE that the patient was admitted to St. James's hospital yesterday, Tuesday 6th March. You will be aware that I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. However, I have made it clear at all times that clinical urgency and cancer cases must take precedence.
175 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [13291/12]
194 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter regarding a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [13367/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 194 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
176 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he has met a group (details supplied); if he is taking any measures to address the health concerns of the 1,500 women in Ireland who have been affected by PIP breast implants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13296/12]
198 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department have been in contact with their counterparts in France in relation to the PIP company which is responsible for breast implants using industrial rather than medical silicone, causing huge distress and possible medical complications to the women involved, including nine women in Ireland; if he and the Department have initiated any action on this matter to assist the women involved and, if not, if he will do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13373/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 198 together.
The IMB, the competent authority for the implementation of EU and national legislation relating to medical devices, including breast implants, has been in contact with national health authorities across Europe on this issue including the French Regulatory Authority (AFSSAPS). National health authorities across Europe have met via the Health Threats Unit of the EU's Health Security Committee and from January the European Commission set up an expert committee (the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly identified Health Risks (SCENIHR)) which provided a rapid scientific opinion on the safety of the PIP silicone implants and proposed further work to establish "the health risks, if any, that may be associated with PIP silicone breast implants".
As information on PIP implantation worldwide and within the European Community emerges, my Department and the IMB are continuing to review advice for recipients of PIP implants and any issues of concern will be communicated immediately. To date the advice remains consistent: that there is no evidence of increased risk of cancer for women with this brand of implant and the risk of rupture remains within expected nor Ms Anyone with a concern about their breast implants should discuss the matter with their GP and/or surgeon.
As you may be aware, approximately 1,500 Irish patients have received PIP breast implants at three centres in Ireland. The IMB has been in regular contact with the three centres and instructed all three to contact their clients on the matter and to reiterate its continuing advice: "that there is no current evidence of health risks associated with PIP implants". Although, as Minister for Health, I do not have a remit at present over the private health care sector, I expect that any private hospital in Ireland which provided a PIP breast implant procedure would provide for its removal should that course of action be recommended for a woman after consulting with her surgeon.
To that end, the Chief Medical Officer of my Department has written to the three clinics involved in providing the implants and it is intended to meet with them this coming Friday, 9th March, 2012. Due to the number and variety of queries raised by both providers and patients my officials would like to tease out the issues raised with a view to ensuring that concerned clients receive appropriate aftercare and management in accordance with normal standards of good professional practice. Following consideration of all the issues, my officials will be in touch with the group concerned to arrange a meeting. I must reiterate that my Department and the IMB continue to liaise with the EU Scientific Committee's Health Threats Unit which is maintaining the up-to-date position on the issue for all Member States.
177 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointees appointed applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13312/12]
While my Department has recently advertised for expressions of interest for vacancies on the Boards of the VHI, Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland through the Department's website, none of these vacancies has been filled to date. Since my appointment on 9 March 2011, the board appointments I have made are outlined in the following tables:
|
Board |
Member |
Position |
Appointed |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
Barry Harrington |
Chairperson |
19/07/2011 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
Tony O’Brien |
Chairperson |
06/08/2011 |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
Keith Pearson |
Chairperson |
14/12/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Michael Scanlan |
Chairperson |
01/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Jason Last |
Chairperson |
24/01/2012 |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
Maureen Cronin |
Ordinary Member |
20/04/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Brian Gilroy |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Laverne McGuinness |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Philip Crowley |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Barry White |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Bairbre Nic Aongusa |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Paul Barron |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Tony Holohan |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Michael Scanlan |
Ordinary Member |
20/05/2011 |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
Ann Grogan |
Ordinary Member |
23/05/2011 |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
Deborah Greene |
Ordinary Member |
23/05/2011 |
|
Interim Health Service Executive Board |
Martin Connor |
Ordinary Member |
06/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Catriona O’Driscoll |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Michael Barry |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Leonie Clarke |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Jean Holohan |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Ciaran O’Boyle |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Fionan O’Cuinneagain |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Kenneth McDonald |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Keith O’Hourihane |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
John David Corr |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Ignatius Noel Stenson |
Ordinary Member |
15/06/2011 |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
Mary Jackson |
Ordinary Member |
22/07/2011 |
|
Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal |
Kathryn Hutton |
Ordinary Member |
01/08/2011 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
Anna Gavin |
Ordinary Member |
06/08/2011 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
Donal Hollywood |
Ordinary Member |
06/08/2011 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
Deirdre Murray |
Ordinary Member |
06/08/2011 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
Mary Jackson |
Ordinary Member |
06/08/2011 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
John McCormack |
Ordinary Member |
06/08/2011 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
Paul Redmond |
Ordinary Member |
06/08/2011 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
Fachtna Murphy |
Ordinary Member |
26/09/2011 |
|
Medical Council |
Michael Ryan |
Ordinary Member |
04/10/2011 |
|
Medical Council |
Marie Kehoe |
Ordinary Member |
04/10/2011 |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
Lelia Thornton |
Ordinary Member |
18/10/2011 |
|
Irish Medicines Board |
Mary Horgan |
Ordinary Member |
19/10/2011 |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
Jenny Bulbulia |
Ordinary Member |
24/11/2011 |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
Muiris Fitzgerald |
Ordinary Member |
24/11/2011 |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
Martin Higgins |
Ordinary Member |
24/11/2011 |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
Pat Quinlan |
Ordinary Member |
24/11/2011 |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
Kristin Quinn |
Ordinary Member |
24/11/2011 |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
Peter Byrne |
Ordinary Member |
21/12/2011 |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
Tom O’Higgins |
Ordinary Member |
21/12/2011 |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
David Pierpoint |
Ordinary Member |
21/12/2011 |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
Peter Prendergast |
Ordinary Member |
21/12/2011 |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
Richard Reilly |
Ordinary Member |
18/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Michele Monahan |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Caitriona McGrath |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Mary P Corridan |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Suzanne Dennan |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Catherine McKenna |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Louise Rainford |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Bill Maher |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Olwyn Ryan |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Tom Ryan |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Dympna Watson |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
Mary O’Connor |
Ordinary Member |
24/01/2012 |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
Pat O’Boyle |
Ordinary Member |
02/02/2012 |
|
St. James’s Hospital Board |
Colm Bergin |
Ordinary Member |
07/02/2012 |
|
St. James’s Hospital Board |
Sean Farrell |
Ordinary Member |
07/02/2012 |
|
Dental Council |
Marie Henson |
Ordinary Member |
15/02/2012 |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
Beatrice Nolan |
Ordinary Member |
24/02/2102 |
178 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who has worked for the Health Service Executive since 2003 can be made permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13319/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
179 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in an area (details supplied) who have been diagnosed with dementia; the way this compares with the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13320/12]
180 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the psychiatry and old age services available in an area (details supplied); if there are any specialist units for dementia care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13321/12]
181 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the function of memory clinics in the treatment of dementia; if this service is available in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13322/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 181, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
182 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the number of persons eligible for the Health Service Executive home care package in an area (details supplied); the take-up of this package; the way this compares to the national take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13323/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
183 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the dementia care services available nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13324/12]
184 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive supports available to the families and carers of persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13325/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.
The Health Service Executive provides a range of services for people with dementia including Primary Care Services, Home Support Services, Day Care, Respite, Housing with Care and Continuing Care Services. These services are delivered through the HSE's network of local offices, via Public Health Nursing, Day Care Centres and Public and Private Residential Care Facilities and where appropriate, Psychiatry of Old Age teaMsThe HSE also funds non-governmental agencies to provide a range of services under section 38 of the Health Act (2004). In addition a limited number of memory clinics and specialist services are available.
It is not possible to state exactly what the volume of community services is as data relating to service provision is not collated in a way that identifies dementia specific services. It is estimated that 63% of all long-stay residents have dementia (Cahill, O'Shea and Pierce 2012).
The families and carers of people with Dementia can access a number of services through their primary care team or HSE funded services such as those provided by the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. Respite services are the most common request and this is provided in a number of ways i.e. through the provision of a Home Care Package to support respite in a persons own home, or through day respite within dementia specific or generic day care centres. Respite is also provided in residential homes. In addition carer support groups have been established across the country, details of which can be obtained from local Primary Care Teams.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government gave a commitment to develop a National Strategy on Dementia by 2013 which will increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention, and enhance community based services for people living with this condition. The first stage of the process, which was to assemble the research and evidence upon which the policy will be developed, was recently completed. The findings of the review were published and presented to Minister Reilly. The report is available at www.doh.ie.
185 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider liaising with the ISPCA on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13330/12]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
186 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be renewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13331/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
187 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will resolve the dichotomy in the response from different elements of the Health Service Executive regarding the urgently required treatment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13343/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
188 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress of the national carers’ strategy; and the timeframe for its delivery in view of the vital role played by carers in communities across the country. [13348/12]
The development of a National Carers Strategy "to support carers and to address issues of concern" is a key commitment in the current Programme for Government. While issues relating to carers span a number of different Departments, the Taoiseach has allocated responsibility for co-ordination of the preparation of the Strategy to me with the support of the Minister for Social Protection.
The Strategy will address the needs of informal and family carers. It will be conceptual and visionary and will establish a number of high-level principles, goals and objectives and a road map to implementation. The State already faces challenges in maintaining existing levels of services from within limited resources and the Strategy is being developed in that context. The Strategy will not be an operational plan but will set the strategic direction for future services and supports for carers in recognition of their role and contribution to maintaining children, adults and older people with physical or mental health difficulties in their own homes.
Work on developing the Strategy is ongoing and a consultation process with other Departments is currently taking place. It is hoped that a draft will be completed by the end of March 2012 as a basis for final consultation prior to submission to Government and publication.
189 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13351/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
190 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13353/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
191 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Health when he will be in a position to implement plans to provide those on the long-term illness scheme with a general practitioner visit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13355/12]
The Programme for Government committed to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this reform programme the Government is committed to introducing Universal Primary Care within the first term of office of this Government. Initially it is intended to extend GP cover without fees to persons with defined long-term illnesses who are in receipt of drugs and medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. Once primary legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, the details of the new arrangements will be announced.
192 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be renewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as an emergency measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/12]
The Health Service Executive has agreed that any medical card holder who genuinely engages with the review of their medical card will not have their entitlement withdrawn before that review is complete, regardless of the expiry date shown on their medical card. I have asked the HSE to investigate this particular case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
193 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 23 February 2012, regarding newborn screening, if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13366/12]
Given the complexities of this issue and taking into consideration the very genuine sensitivities of those concerned, I am anxious for the findings of the Review Group to be published. I will arrange for my Department to liaise with the Health Service Executive to have this done as a matter of priority.
195 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the rolling operating room closures at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin, as reported by RTE on 1 March; and the effect they will have on the treatment of children for non-emergency but serious health issues. [13369/12]
This is a very challenging year given the extreme financial pressures we face as a country. However, all services must live within their allocated budget. The HSE has taken steps to provide as high a level of protection as possible for the funding of the children's hospitals. The budget adjustment to Children's University Hospital, Temple Street was significantly less than the average in the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Service Plan 2012. HSE management are in discussions with CUH Temple Street towards agreeing a cost containment plan and will meet with CUH Temple Street next week to further discuss the plan.
The HSE Service Plan for 2012 has set a target for children's hospitals which requires that no child should be waiting for treatment for more than 20 weeks by the end 2012. The hospital is actively engaged with the HSE, the SDU and the NTPF to ensure that this target is met. The Paediatric Hospitals work together as a unified network under the leadership of the Clinical Director to ensure optimisation of resources and facilities. The Paediatric Hospitals remain cognisant at all times of the challenges facing their young patients and of the need to support families. The HSE will continue to work with the children's hospitals to ensure that all patients receive appropriate care and that all emergencies are dealt with immediately. The HSE will also continue to monitor activity to ensure the optimum use of theatre resources and facilities.
I have emphasised the need to ensure that the impact of any changes to patients is minimised and that all changes are fully communicated. All measures will be reviewed regularly to ensure the least impact on patients and service users. Patient Safety remains my first priority.
196 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal with the following matter (details supplied) regarding the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13370/12]
Prescription charges do not apply to items supplied to patients under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the scheme, the HSE provides patients with medicines and appliances for the treatment of the prescribed disease or disability. The conditions covered are: mental handicap, mental illness (under 16 years only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism and acute leukaemia. Medical card holders are required to pay a 50c charge for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family.
197 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the reason information supplied in support of an application for a GP visit card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork has gone missing; the reason the card ceased to be valid while the appeal is in process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13371/12]
I have asked the HSE to investigate this particular case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
199 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [13383/12]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides arange of assisted living services including Personal Assistant services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives. In 2011, a total of 1.68 million personal assistant/home support hours were provided to 11,571 persons with physical and/or sensory disability. Although the funding allocated to disability services has been cut by 3.7%, the HSE aims to maintain this level of service in 2012. Service efficiencies will be achieved through a process of negotiation with service providers around the unit cost of providing the service rather than reducing the number of personal assistant hours. My Department has asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the individual named in the attached correspondence.
200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for an EU medical card in view of the fact that they are the holder of a current medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13397/12]
201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an entitlement to an EU medical card exists in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who is the holder of a current medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13398/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
Under EU Regulations all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland, including medical card holders are entitled to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which covers them for necessary health care in another EU member-State.
202 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who applied in August 2011, has repeatedly submitted relevant documentation and is a lone parent with three children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13399/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
203 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he and the Health Service Executive will provide details on the criteria applied to the decision to include the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda, and St. Joseph’s, Ardee, County Louth, for potential closure as publicly operated community nursing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13432/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
204 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to have a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath admitted to Cappagh Hospital, Dublin, immediately for a hip replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13442/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery. As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
205 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the new critical care unit in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, will open; the arrangements being put in place to ensure sufficient staffing and funding for the unit above and beyond the Health Service Executive regional plan for 2012; if additional non-critical beds will be provided at Limerick; his views on the fact that without such non-critical beds and if the planned closure of the ICU in Nenagh Hospital proceeds patients will face repeated journeys to Limerick and Nenagh; if he will halt the proposed closure of the Nenagh ICU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13446/12]
In relation to the new critical care block I understand that it will be completed by June 2012, a period of commissioning will then follow. I believe we must concentrate on getting the best possible services for patients from the budgets available to us.
The work of the Special Delivery Unit, together with implementation of the Clinical Care Programmes in the HSE, will help to improve the efficiency of our hospitals, allowing us to treat as many patients as possible within budget. In the current economic climate the acute sector must reduce its costs in order to deliver the agreed level of activity within the resources available to it. The emphasis in 2012 will continue to be to make the most effective use of acute bed capacity through shorter lengths of stay, increased rates of day-of-surgery admission and more day surgery. In this way the acute hospital system can ensure that, within the level of resources available, it provides safe, effective and efficient care to the maximum number of patients withoo.
The decision to open and close beds is made at hospital management level and approved by the Regional Director of Operations. In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
206 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) may expect to receive an appointment to have urgent surgery carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13448/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF. As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
207 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Irish driver licence records that have been forwarded to and recorded by the Department’s national vehicle and driver file from the Courts Service since the commencement of section 63 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act after a motorist has been convicted of a road traffic offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13270/12]
The records on my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) indicate that since 28 October, 2011, the date of commencement of Section 63 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act, a total of 1,368 penalty points records forwarded from the Courts Service were entered in the NVDF in accordance with Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 2002.
208 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of the sports capital programme will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13283/12]
211 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which the sports capital programme is to be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13364/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 211 together.
I recently announced that I will be advertising two new rounds of the Sports Capital Programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements with a view to launching the next round of the SCP shortly. Once these necessary arrangements are in place I will make the relevant announcement.
209 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13317/12]
Full details of State Board appointments including Chairpersons, are available on the Department's website. Since my Department advertised new procedures for appointment to boards on Friday 8th April 2011, all appointments from that date have followed these procedures. However, given the importance of ensuing the right mix of skills and experience on every board, appointments are not necessarily confined to those who have made an expression of interest.
In total there have been 63 appointments made to boards under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport during my term as Minister. Of these 36 were new appointments and 27 were re-appointments. Of the 27 reappointments, 8 related to members of the Advisory Committee of the National Transport Authority. These individuals were reappointed pending the completion and implementation of the Taxi Review Group's work. Of the 36 new appointments, 14 of the appointments were from applications received arising from the publically advertised process.
The new arrangements in relation to appearance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee only apply to Chairpersons. Nine Chairpersons whom I have appointed have appeared before the Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht. The only exception is Mr. Tom Wall, was appointed as Chairperson of the RPA on an interim basis until 18 April 2012 pending the merger of the RPA and the National Roads Authority. Given the short nature of his appointment, it was not considered necessary for him to appear before the Committee. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, prior to the appointment of a new Chairperson they will appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee.
210 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider proposals to introduce fixed charge penalties or on-the-spot fines for cyclists who fail to observe the rules against cycling on footpaths or against the flow of traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13328/12]
A key requirement in using any ‘on-the-spot' fine or fixed charge system is one of identity, namely, a unique identifier for the bicycle or a recognised form of identity in respect of the cyclist. Only then can either system be utilised effectively. As bicycles do not have registration numbers and cyclists are not required under law to carry identification, it is not possible to bring such offences within the scope of the fixed charge system. Given that we are seeking to encourage an increased level of cycling amongst the population at large, I am not convinced that mandatory registration of cyclists, or requiring cyclists to carry identification is an appropriate measure to introduce.
However, section 108 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended) gives a member of the Garda Síochána the power to demand the name, address and date of birth of a pedal cyclist intercepted while committing a road traffic offence. The Garda may seize the bicycle if he or she suspects that false or misleading information is being given to them. A summons can then be served on the cyclist to appear in court in respect of the alleged offence. Section 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended) provides for a maximum fine resulting from a conviction for such offences of €1,000 for a first offence, or €2,000 for a second or subsequent offence. If a third or subsequent such offence is committed within 12 months, the person is liable to a possible prison sentence of up to three months.
212 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ask Iarnród Éireann to release to local residents the report carried out on its behalf into the flood last October on the River Dodder, Dublin 4, and which was to have been received by Iarnród Éireann on 29 February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13375/12]
The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
213 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regards to public bike rental schemes in Irish cities, including Galway city, if he will confirm that he has ring-fenced a sum of €1.7 million for the set up cost; the biggest issue at present in setting up the scheme is the ongoing operation and maintenance costs of the following 15 years following the introduction of such a scheme; if he will provide an update on the progress he is making on advancing a public private partnership scheme that will provide a sustainable financial model over that period; if there are other considerations such as having one central processing location to co-ordinate the operation in all cities rather than duplicating the back up and support function that is required, or if he will prefer to see each city look after same; when the scheme will be operational in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13430/12]
I am committed to exploring a range of mechanisms to seek to secure public bikes schemes in other cities, including Galway. My Department and the National Transport Authority are currently considering the findings of analysis undertaken and the outcome of symposiums held in November including how to address key issues identified. For example, while a scheme in a city such as Galway is technically feasible, its commercial viability would require a collaborative approach with the private sector.
Funding provision to meet the capital investment costs of a scheme has been identified within the 5-year allocation for Smarter Travel and Carbon Reduction Measures Capital funding. However, operational funding is not available from within the constrained current funding allocations. Options to meet operating costs of a scheme include, for example, potential funding that could be unlocked by Galway City Council through the provision of additional advertising space in the city. However, the potential and extent of funding from advertising requires further examination. Also a sponsorship deal could prove to be very attractive for a private sector organisation and could include advertisements on the bikes, naming rights etc. Participation in Galway bikes could be a wonderful opportunity for the right partner to get involved and share in the success of smarter travelling in the city. Optimal procurement approaches will be determined in the context of the best mechanisms to bridge the operational funding gap.
214 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to realise the potential of genealogy tourism at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12481/12]
The matters raised are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
