Written Answers Nos. 1108-1125
1109. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will make additional funding available to Kerry County Council for the following grant schemes: housing aid for older persons, mobility aids, housing grant scheme, and housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability, as the 2012 allocation notified by the Department has been fully utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38941/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraExchequer allocations for 2012 totalling some €54.2 million were notified to local authorities in February 2012. Some €2,606,292 was allocated to Kerry County Council of which €1,716,017 has been drawn down to date in respect of 397 grants. My Department monitors expenditure under these schemes on an ongoing basis and any savings resulting from an under-spend by local authorities of their 2012 allocation may be re-allocated to authorities whose allocations have been fully spent.
1110. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government , noting the statement in the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 information leaflet that there is no question of applying the EPA's 2009 code of practice to older on-site systems, if he will explain the way the requirements of the EU legislation in relation to quality of ground water are to be met. [38946/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the debates on the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 I stated on a number of occasions that there is no question of applying the EPA’s 2009 Code of Practice for Wastewater Treatment for Single Houses to older houses. The 2012 Act specifies that the basic standard for treatment systems is that they do not create a risk to public health or the environment. The Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012 set out in more detail the required performance standards, including the maintenance and de-sludging of on-site systems.
1111. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government , noting the Pyrite Panel report, his views on whether the stone fill being sold by quarries in counties Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Offaly for use under ground floor slabs to houses and extensions is fit for purpose and will not cause heave; and the test results he has available to support this conclusion. [38947/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraStandard Recommendation (SR) 21:2004+A1:2007 provides specific guidance on reducing the risk of reactive forms of pyrite being present in hardcore material for use under concrete floors in dwellings and buildings. It sets an example specification for unbound granular fill for use under concrete floors and paths. The example specification sets out verifiable performance criteria for hardcore. It sets the quality of the aggregate (attempting to rule out low quality stone), the grading (reducing the level of fines) and the results required from sulfur-related chemical tests.
Clause 3.4.2 in SR21 sets out the guidance to be followed in relation to the total sulfur results:
- if the result is less than 0.1%, no further testing is required, unless there is a significant change in the quarry deposit;
- if the result is between 0.1 and 1%, there is a risk of swelling from pyrite, and it is advised that a suitably experienced petrographer carry out a detailed mineralogical examination to establish:
(a) the material’s suitability as hardcore under floors and footpaths, and
(b) an appropriate testing frequency for total sulfur based on the variability of the quarry deposit.
In view of the expertise and knowledge that has been developed in the past five years, the Pyrite Panel recommended that the existing guidance should be reviewed to see if it can be further developed. In addition, the Panel recommended that a testing, certification and traceability system should be put be put in place for quarries. I have asked the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to undertake this work. The onus is on the builder/developer to ensure that all works undertaken are compliant with the relevant parts of the Building Regulations.
1112. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the steps being taken to hold to account those who have not paid the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38981/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. 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 to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.
I am informed by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which administers the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils, that between 2 and 13 July, reminder letters in respect of 103,905 non-registered addresses were issued by local authorities nationwide. A second tranche of letters issued between 7 and 20 August in respect of 65,212 households. Local authorities are currently in the process of issuing a further tranche of reminder letters to 52,246 households nationwide. In total, some 221,363 letters have been issued to date to households that have not paid the charge.
The Act places the household charge under the care and management of local authorities and section 15 of the Act empowers local authorities to bring court proceedings for offences under the Act. Application of the legislative provisions in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.
1114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will consider a major update in housing policy with particular reference to the need to provide an adequate supply of affordable housing through the capital programme or a suitable equivalent in order to address the long-standing number of persons on the housing lists of the various local authorities; if he will furthermore repeal the shared ownership house purchase scheme having particular regard to the inequalities that have emerged whereby the rental portion of the equity is costing more to the borrower than the mortgage; if some action will be taken on this matter in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36903/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am determined to ensure that the social housing programme is framed in a manner which optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this it is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions to address housing needs. The social housing capital budget has been reduced from €1.535 billion in 2008 to just over €333.7m this year, and the financial parameters within which we will be operating for the coming years rule out a return to large capital funded construction programmes. 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. In spite of the challenging circumstances within which local authorities are now operating, a tentative projection of 4,000 to 4,500 housing units is anticipated for 2012.
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).
Under the Shared Ownership scheme, the intending purchaser initially acquired a minimum 40% share in the dwelling, with a requirement that they purchase the full ownership within 25 years. The purchaser was required to pay rent on the local authority’s share. These rent payments are intended largely to meet the cost of funding provided by the Housing Finance Agency to local authorities to finance the rented share in the equity of the house. Rent is calculated at 4.3% of the value of the share in the ownership held by the local authority. This amount is increased annually by 4.5%, and excludes any rent subsidy due. The rental formula applied under the scheme is not comparable to rents in the private rented sector, which are determined by the operation of the market. Therefore, movements in private sector rent levels would have no relevant bearing on the calculation of the rental element under shared ownership.
To take account of the current housing market conditions, the Government's housing policy statement also announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the Shared Ownership scheme, in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. That review is now underway and it is expected to conclude later in the year. Any future changes to legislation governing affordable housing schemes, including the Shared Ownership Scheme, will be informed by the review.
1116. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the amount of funding that will be available to finance the mortgage to rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32691/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears, the Government launched a mortgage to rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012. This scheme was extended nationally in June 2012, targeting low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. The scheme ensures that the family remains in their home, while ownership is transferred to an approved housing body who in turn rent it to the original owners.
Householders seeking to avail of the mortgage to rent scheme must: have had their mortgage deemed unsustainable under a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process as provided for under the Central Bank’s Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears; agree to a voluntary repossession of their home; be eligible for social housing support and; not have significant positive equity in the property.
Limits on household income, property value and applicant assets also apply. Borrowers wishing to avail of this scheme may access further information on the Housing Agency website, www.housing.ie.
More than sixty cases are currently being processed under this scheme, with a potential take-up of approximately one hundred cases in 2012. Financing for the scheme is by means of loans to the approved housing bodies concerned from either the original lender or the Housing Finance Agency in respect of up to 7.5% of the value of the property, with 25% funding available from my Department under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility. The overall allocation under the CALF scheme for 2012 is €20 million.
1119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the progress made with the Mountain Access Project since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37868/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1125. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he intends to provide insurance or an indemnity scheme to landowners who allow hill walkers walk their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38414/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1119 and 1125 together.
The Mountain Access Project is currently implementing a pilot Mountain Access Scheme at two locations, Mount Gable in Connemara and Carrauntuohill in Co. Kerry. There are 94 landholders associated with the pilot scheme at Mount Gable. The scope of the scheme at Carrauntuohill requires review as it is not feasible to progress a pilot scheme there in isolation from the rest of the MacGillcuddy Reeks. Subject to the availability of funding, it will be expanded to include an area of approximately 100 square km stretching from the Gap of Dunloe in the east to Glencar on the West. Discussions with landowners and other stakeholders is ongoing.
As mountain access areas are by their nature sensitive habitats, great care must be taken to ensure that proposed developments do not generate negative consequences and lead to environmental degradation and habitat destruction. It is clear that some upland areas and mountains are already suffering damage from recreational activity and a properly constructed and funded Mountain Access Scheme offers an opportunity to address these matters.
A requirement of the proposed scheme is that participating landowners are provided with an indemnity, to protect against any potential claim arising from an accident or injury to a hill walker. Negotiations with the farming organisations on the scope and scale of such a scheme are underway and the scheme cannot proceed without their agreement. Such a national indemnity scheme could significantly improve access to the countryside, generate potential for tourism and recreation - related job creation and associated development opportunities in rural areas.
A list of additional candidate mountain access areas is currently being compiled and assessed and there is strong demand from local communities and some landowners for these to progress. The timing and further roll out of the scheme is dependent on the further availability of funding.
1120. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the number of new walks developed under the walkways scheme of the rural recreation section of his Department since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37869/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to budgetary constraints it has not been possible to develop new walks under the existing Walks Scheme since December 2010. However there are now 40 trails covered by the Scheme, with annual payments of €1,910,000 to 1,805 landholders who maintain them. It is intended that any additional efficiencies and savings that can be generated in the scheme will be put towards priority walks and improvements in the existing trails comprehended by the scheme.
Despite current financial constraints there are now 871 trails listed on the irishtrails.ie website, which are fully open to the public and being maintained to the appropriate national standards. Consideration is now being given to the assessment of the optimum number of trails required to provide an appropriate level of choice, quality and grade of trail for recreational users and tourists alike. This will ensure trails are developed on the basis of identified need and that the costs associated with the development and ongoing maintenance of trails will be minimised.
1121. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the change in the number and grade of civil servants in the rural recreation section of the Department since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37870/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the changes in the numbers and grades in the Rural Recreation Section since March 2011, based on “Full Time Equivalents”, are as follows:
|
Date |
Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
Executive Officer |
Clerical Officer |
|
March 2011 |
0.05 |
0.9 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
September 2012 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
There have been staff changes at all grades other than HEO during the period in question. The Executive Officer position was vacant from May 2011 to August 2011 and one Clerical Officer position was vacant from September 2011 to February 2012.
1123. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he intends providing further funding this year for the senior alert scheme in view of the importance of this scheme to the security and well being of older people and the demand for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37873/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1124. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will outline the changes he has made this year to the senior alert scheme; the reasons for these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37874/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1124 together.
Due to the level of demand for grant assistance under the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2011, the budget allocation of €2.35m was expended by the end of November 2011; there were a significant number of grant applications received in December 2011 that my Department was unable to process pending the budget allocation for 2012. A significant portion of the 2012 budget allocation (€2.35m) was expended early in 2012. My Department is also continuing to register Community and Voluntary groups who wish to administer the Scheme and this has further increased the demand for funding in 2012.
Given the unavoidable constraints on funding generally, my Department examined the operation of the scheme with the aim of ensuring its sustainability and an equitable distribution of available funding country-wide. The following temporary changes were notified to groups on 26 March 2012, and took effect from 30 March 2012:
- Funding will only be available for the purchase and installation of socially monitored alarms at a maximum of €250 per alarm. (Maximum funding of €50 is also available for additional pendants and reinstallations).
- Grants to Community and Voluntary groups will be capped at €30,000 per annum .
The aim of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to support independent living for those over 65 who live alone or who live with a person who is also over 65 years of age and of limited financial means. A key element of the Scheme is the provision of funding for a socially monitored alarm which supports this independence. Having regard to available funding in the current economic climate, the changes above will ensure that my Department can continue to maintain the Scheme in a viable way and provide the maximum number of socially monitored alarms to as many older persons as possible in 2012. So far this year €2,007,800 has been spent on the scheme, providing equipment to 6,671 beneficiaries.
