Written Answers Nos. 679-699
679. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the €5 to €9 million savings that he maintained will arise in Putting People First with the merger of Waterford City and county councils under the headings payroll, tendering, procurement, services and other. [47708/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra680. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of implementing the merger of Waterford city and county councils. [47709/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra681. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a timescale for the proposal to merge Waterford city and count councils. [47710/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 679 to 681, inclusive, together.
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 51 and 428 of 23 October 2012.
The Report of the Waterford Local Government Committee estimated savings, primarily payroll related, associated with the merger of Waterford City and County Councils at €3.87m. In addition, the Committee has indicated that further savings in the range of €1.3m to €5m, can be made in operational and administrative expenses. The amalgamation of authorities will also have implications both for local authority revenue and costs, including some one-off costs associated with the transition to the new arrangements which can be expected to arise.
As indicated in the Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, the primary purpose of local authority unification is to strengthen the effectiveness of local government in the areas concerned and its capacity to promote their development. The Committee indicated, in addition to the estimated financial savings, that the benefits from a merged authority, particularly with regard to its potential impact on economic and social development, outweigh any transitional costs involved and provide the best long-term option for local government in Waterford.
682. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding given by his Department to assist projects to address homelessness in County Wicklow, in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the organisation or local authority to which these funds were given; and the specific projects for which each tranche of funding was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47729/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and the purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Information in respect of funding provided under Section 10 for Wicklow is set out in the t able below. Funding is provided at the rate of 90% of cost with the housing authorities providing a further 10% from their own resources.
|
Wicklow |
- |
2010
€ |
2011
€ |
2012 ( to date ) € |
|
Funds paid to |
Purpose |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wicklow County Council |
Harry Cullen Old Presbytery - emergency accommodation
|
43,800 |
72,072 |
54,612 |
|
- |
Outreach Worker |
29,890 |
- |
- |
|
- |
Private Rented Accommodation |
- |
2,908 |
- |
|
- |
Bed & Breakfast emergency accommodation |
- |
7,905 |
1,09 3 |
|
Bray Town Council |
Old Brighton Terrace - emergency accommodation
|
101,217 |
86,724 |
65,340 |
|
- |
Total |
174,907 |
16 9 , 609 |
121,045 |
683. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding home inspections in respect of water metering (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47738/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra703. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current position in relation to the installation of water meters; when the positions will be put out to tender; if he and Irish Water will be supporting local employment by making the positions available to local plumbers and those who have completed the water meter installation training courses which have been run by development companies throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47976/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 703 together.
The Government has decided that Irish Water, a new State-owned water company to be established as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group, will be responsible for the metering programme. In addition, the Government has recently approved the preparation of legislation to assign the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme. The objective is to have the Bill enacted by the end of this year. Pending the enactment of the legislation, my Department will be working with the local authorities to progress aspects of the metering programme including the carrying out of surveys of domestic connections. The intention is that the public will be informed of the surveying through advertisements in local and regional newspapers, on local authorities’ websites and other media including radio in advance of the surveying commencing. As the surveying will involve an examination of the service connection located at the perimeter of the property, there will be no requirement to seek access to individual houses. The surveying work will be carried out by local authority staff.
The installation of water meters is due to commence in 2013. Installation contracts will be awarded by Irish Water to private contractors who will be responsible for recruiting appropriately trained personnel to carry out the installation.
684. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the estimate of the finances available in each of the councils to be abolished and or amalgamated; the amounts for each council; where this funding will now be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47739/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAudited financial information on the local government sector is available in the 2010 consolidated Annual Financial Statement available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.
Each local authority is also required to prepare and publish a financial statement in respect of each financial year.
Detailed financial arrangements for the local authority mergers in Limerick,Tipperary and Waterford are being developed in the context of the implementation plans of the Reorganisation Implementation Groups. Definitive details, arrangements and procedures in relation to the funding of municipal district level functions, and financial relations between district and county levels, will be developed in the context of the new local government funding arrangements generally, the implementation of the new sub-county system, and the development of legislation in relation to the reform programme.
685. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent local government reform proposal; the representation the social partners will have in new local government structures; what will replace the county and city development boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47741/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s approach to the reform of local government, as set out in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government provides, inter alia, for the introduction of Socio-Economic Committees (SECs) within each city/county local authority area. These SECs will assume many of the local and community development responsibilities of City/County Development Boards (CDBs) and they will be responsible for planning and overseeing all local and community development activity at local level. It is envisaged that these new arrangements will deliver a more co-ordinated approach locally to identifying the needs of communities and citizens, and targeting resources in the most effective way to meet those needs. SECs will be established on a public-private partnership basis and will bring a broad range of socio-economic interests together in collaboration and co-operation at local level. The exact membership of SECs is yet to be finalised but would generally comprise representatives of local government, other appropriate State agencies and local and community interests, including representatives of civil society and social and economic partners.
The Action Programme for Effective Local Government provides for the gradual wind down of City/County Development Boards (CDBs). There is no longer sufficient rationale for the continued operation of CDBs, in view of the proposed introduction of SECs with planning and oversight responsibility for local/community development programmes, the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices that will provide a local enterprise support service, and the development of a broader, more direct role for local authorities in economic development generally.
686. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of council houses that were constructed in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the total number that were constructed each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47718/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra687. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of houses that were purchased in each local authority in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 for social housing; the total number that were purchased each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47720/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 686 and 687 together.
My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy and those data are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.
Data on the number of local authority houses constructed and purchased are included as part of that range. Data for 2012 are still being compiled and will be available in due course.
688. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to assist the emerging generation of children with disabilities and their parents living in apartments, who through negative equity or being tied into affordable housing conditions cannot adapt their accommodation through housing adaption grants or council assistance and are as a result living in inaccessible, unadaptable accommodation that poses a severe health and safety risk to the whole family. [47749/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra699. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take to assist the emerging generation of children with disabilities, and their parents living in apartments, who through negative equity or being tied into affordable housing conditions, cannot adapt their accommodation through housing adaption grants or council assistance and are as a result living in inaccessible, unadaptable accommodation that poses a severe health and safety risk to the whole family. [47897/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 699 together.
In the case of privately owned properties, grants are available under my Department’s Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People With a Disability to assist households to have necessary repairs, adaptations or improvement works carried out in order to meet the accommodation needs of an older person or a person with a disability. The suite of grants include three separate grant measures; the Mobility Aids Grant scheme with grants of up to €6,000, the Housing Aid for Older People scheme with grants of up to €10,500 and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability with grants of up to €30,000, depending on household income. Exchequer allocations for 2012 totalling some €54.2 million were notified to local authorities in February 2012 in respect of these schemes which are ad ministered by the local authorities.
In the case of families living in social rented accommodation, funding is provided by my Department to Local Authorities to have necessary adaptations carried out or extensions provided to meet the needs of tenants or a member of the household with a disability. This year some €6 million was allocated to local authorities for this purpose.
Since 1 January 2001 , all dwellings are required to comply with the standards set out in Part M of the Building Regulations. The Regulations require, inter alia , that adequate provision is made for people with a disability to safely and independently access and use a building, its facilities and environs. Any further necessary works to adapt a house or an apartment to meet the specific needs of a member of the household ma y be carried out with assistance being provided under the grant schemes in appropriate cases.
689. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline his existing commitment to tackling homelessness; if he will provide an update on the progress of the implementation of the housing strategy; if current funding levels for homelessness will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47750/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government committed to reviewing the homeless strategy, The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013 and to implementing a housing led approach to homelessness. Work on the review is almost complete and I intend to issue a policy statement on homelessness shortly. That statement will take account of demands on existing housing and will assess how best to continue providing services in a manner consistent with the elimination of existing homelessness and to ensure more effective prevention strategies. On its conclusion, I will be indicating what I expect from housing authorities and other stakeholders in accelerating progress towards realising the ambition of eliminating involuntary long-term homelessness. However, much progress has been made in otherwise implementing the strategy including inter alia :
- the publication of a detailed Implementation Plan in April 2009, which set out a range of priority actions to be undertaken to deliver on the six strategic aims of the Strategy;
- new legislative provisions in the Housing Act 2009 that came into force on 1 February 2010, which put Homelessness Fora and Homelessness Action Plans on a statutory basis, and are now being implemented at regional and local level;
- the adoption in 2010 by the 34 City and County Councils of their statutory Homelessness Action Plans;
- annual provision of current funding to provide for sufficient bed capacity to accommodate all those in need of emergency accommodation nationwide and to deliver on the commitment to eliminate the need for persons involuntarily to sleep rough;
- the ongoing reconfiguration of existing emergency or transitional homeless facilities to provide a substantial number of secure long-term tenancies for homeless persons;
- the development of a scheme, Support to Live Independently, to provide visiting supports for persons leaving homelessness which assists people to progress from homelessness to independent living in mainstream housing and forms an important element of follow up action to end long-term homelessness, by co-ordinating appropriate tenancy and other supports to meet each individuals’ needs in their local community setting; and
- the new homelessness on-line data and bed management system, PASS, which is operational in Dublin and is being extended nationally on a phased basis with work currently underway in other regions.
The National Implementation Plan for the Homeless Strategy also provides for the development of a more devolved allocation-based system for the provision of accommodation-related funding to housing authorities with emphasis on increased decision making at local level, in lieu of the existing individual project based arrangements, to improve overall efficiency, value for money and greater local decision making in homeless services.
A Protocol has been put in place with Dublin City Council to provide delegation of responsibility in relation to the management of homelessness funding. Similar arrangements are being put in place in respect of the other statutory homelessness regions.
My Department’s current funding provision for the running costs of homeless accommodation and related services for 2012 is €50 million, which, together with 10% provided from housing authorities’ own resources, brings the total available funding to €55.55 million in 2012. This level of funding means that there will be no reduction in the provision of essential frontline support services.
691. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the possibility of reserving polling station and count staff positions for those on the live register where practicable; his views on whether such an initiative would be cost effective; his plans to include a general recommendation to this effect in the guidelines issued to returning officers in advance of each election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47832/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra692. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the requirements in respect of the advertising of polling station and count staff positions in advance of each election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47833/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.
The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law.
My Department issues guidance to Returning Officers in advance of each election and referendum. The guidance emphasises that the smooth conduct of polls is dependent on maintaining a cadre of sufficiently skilled and experienced people. Having regard to that overall objective, returning officers are advised to employ competent and efficient persons as polling staff and asked to give consideration, where possible, to employing suitable persons who are unemployed.
In addition, at my request, my Department wrote to each Returning Officer on 4 October 2012, advising that, wherever practicable, the opportunity should be taken to employ unemployed persons at polling stations and in carrying out the subsequent counting of votes at elections and referendums so as to provide opportunity for work experience to unemployed persons. I believe that this should apply particularly in relation to the Polling Clerk position, where the responsibilities of the post can be fulfilled under the guidance of the Presiding Officer. Following the referendum on 10 November 2012, my Department will be writing to Returning Officers to ascertain the extent to which unemployed persons were engaged on that occasion and with a view to working with Returning Officers to address issues arising.
693. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money that has been allocated to Donegal County Council for the upgrading of the sewage treatment scheme in the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47834/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ballybofey/Stranorlar Sewerage Scheme upgrade is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, as a scheme to start construction during the lifetime of the Programme.
My Department is awaiting the submission by Donegal County Council of its Preliminary Report for the scheme.
694. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered correspondence sent by this Deputy to his Department in relation to a community group (details supplied); when this Deputy may expect to receive an answer to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47835/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Development Programme (RDP) is governed by EU regulations and is subject to the rigorous audit and verification requirements. My Department is charged with ensuring that there is no misappropriation of funds and that all expenditure under the RDP is in line with the regulations as set out by the European Commission.
In this regard a robust system is in place to ensure that payments are made to promoters as soon as all the relevant checks have been carried out. During a regulatory inspection check of the project in question by the Inspection Services Division (ISD) of my Department, certain issues arose and were queried. It is my understanding that the findings of the inspection are currently under appeal with my Department; therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this project at this stage. However, once a final decision has been reached, a response will issue immediately to the correspondence in question.
695. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families or persons on the rental accommodation scheme in each local authority area for each year since the scheme was first introduced; the cost of the scheme to each local authority; the total cost of operating the scheme each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47858/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy end of September 2012 local authorities had transferred a total of 41,623 households to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) from Rent Supplement since the former commenced in late 2005. Of these 24,472 were housed directly under RAS with 17,196 accommodated under other social housing options.
The following table sets out the transfer position annually by authority:
RAS Admin Fees 2005 - Sept. 2012
|
Local Authorities (Housing) |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
End Sept 2012 |
TOTAL |
|
Carlow Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 4,050 |
€ - |
€ 37,100 |
€ 88,600 |
€ 90,150 |
€ 100,600 |
€ 85,200 |
€ 405,700 |
|
Cavan Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 6,450 |
€ 13,850 |
€ 22,150 |
€ 50,800 |
€ 58,450 |
€ 83,050 |
€ 59,600 |
€ 294,350 |
|
Clare Co. Cl. |
€ 6,450 |
€ 13,250 |
€ 21,650 |
€ 54,950 |
€ 73,650 |
€ 77,900 |
€ 86,500 |
€ 74,400 |
€ 408,750 |
|
Cork City Cl. |
€ - |
€ 23,750 |
€ 59,800 |
€ 100,250 |
€ 116,900 |
€ 159,300 |
€ 213,200 |
€ 149,800 |
€ 823,000 |
|
Cork Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 52,550 |
€ 146,800 |
€ 214,650 |
€ 226,200 |
€ 240,700 |
€ 197,200 |
€ 1,078,100 |
|
Donegal Co. Cl. |
€ 7,950 |
€ 36,600 |
€ 21,850 |
€ 40,550 |
€ 77,850 |
€ 100,650 |
€ 122,100 |
€ 99,850 |
€ 507,400 |
|
Dublin City Cl. |
€ 43,500 |
€ 37,900 |
€119,750 |
€ 355,450 |
€ 441,350 |
€ 435,800 |
€ 448,400 |
€ 406,500 |
€ 2,288,650 |
|
Dublin South Co. Cl. |
€ 1,350 |
€ 4,400 |
€ 29,650 |
€ 100,100 |
€ 243,400 |
€ 282,000 |
€ 300,500 |
€ 248,450 |
€ 1,209,850 |
|
Dun/Rathdown Co.Cl. |
€ - |
€ 5,850 |
€ 39,750 |
€ 65,150 |
€ 102,900 |
€ 130,450 |
€ 135,750 |
€ 110,800 |
€ 590,650 |
|
Fingal Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 15,600 |
€ - |
€ 84,650 |
€ 118,750 |
€ 129,850 |
€ 186,850 |
€ 139,400 |
€ 675,100 |
|
Galway City Cl. |
€ 11,250 |
€ 21,500 |
€ 59,700 |
€ 159,568 |
€ 131,900 |
€ 125,700 |
€ 144,000 |
€ 116,800 |
€ 770,418 |
|
Galway Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 8,300 |
€ 20,550 |
€ 62,050 |
€ 85,250 |
€ 104,400 |
€ 109,500 |
€ 94,600 |
€ 484,650 |
|
Kerry Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 11,000 |
€ 38,200 |
€ 81,550 |
€ 110,700 |
€ 81,500 |
€ 151,050 |
€ 124,800 |
€ 598,800 |
|
Kildare Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 35,450 |
€ 59,950 |
€ 88,400 |
€ 92,900 |
€ 125,550 |
€ 106,800 |
€ 509,050 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 24,400 |
€ 50,150 |
€ 85,400 |
€ 97,150 |
€ 104,250 |
€ 13,600 |
€ 109,800 |
€ 484,750 |
|
Laois Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 1,600 |
€ 13,200 |
€ 27,750 |
€ 32,300 |
€ 41,200 |
€ 54,200 |
€ 43,000 |
€ 213,250 |
|
Leitrim Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 12,750 |
€ 2,850 |
€ 4,250 |
€ 22,500 |
€ 32,750 |
€ 24,800 |
€ 99,900 |
|
Limerick City Cl. |
€ - |
€ 15,550 |
€ 26,100 |
€ 68,000 |
€ 95,500 |
€ 122,800 |
€ 93,300 |
€ 166,300 |
€ 587,550 |
|
Limerick Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 21,400 |
€ 17,800 |
€ 51,500 |
€ 78,800 |
€ 83,800 |
€ 100,750 |
€ 88,600 |
€ 442,650 |
|
Longford Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 3,300 |
€ 14,900 |
€ 45,650 |
€ 67,900 |
€ 71,900 |
€ 64,850 |
€ 54,800 |
€ 323,300 |
|
Louth Co. Cl. |
€ 2,250 |
€ 6,000 |
€ 20,000 |
€ 43,350 |
€ 46,350 |
€ 56,800 |
€ 58,450 |
€ 50,000 |
€ 283,200 |
|
Mayo Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 11,900 |
€ 55,600 |
€ 107,600 |
€ 144,450 |
€ 166,700 |
€ 189,400 |
€ 155,450 |
€ 831,100 |
|
Meath Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 3,750 |
€ 13,550 |
€ 15,850 |
€ 31,200 |
€ 18,200 |
€ 57,500 |
€ 84,900 |
€ 224,950 |
|
Monaghan Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 7,200 |
€ 14,750 |
€ 28,950 |
€ 45,450 |
€ 60,350 |
€ 65,050 |
€ 55,600 |
€ 277,350 |
|
Nth Tipperary Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 9,600 |
€ 20,050 |
€ 41,950 |
€ 60,100 |
€ 74,350 |
€ 95,150 |
€ 70,600 |
€ 371,800 |
|
Offaly Co. Cl. |
€ 7,500 |
€ - |
€ 10,500 |
€ 22,350 |
€ 43,900 |
€ 49,000 |
€ 46,850 |
€ 33,200 |
€ 213,300 |
|
Roscommon Co.Cl. |
€ - |
€ 3,550 |
€ 19,400 |
€ 48,450 |
€ 63,500 |
€ 79,300 |
€ 91,500 |
€ 71,800 |
€ 377,500 |
|
Sligo Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 13,550 |
€ 18,200 |
€ 50,000 |
€ 60,500 |
€ 125,900 |
€ 92,650 |
€ 74,000 |
€ 434,800 |
|
Sth Tipperary Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 10,300 |
€ 22,100 |
€ 55,450 |
€ 95,100 |
€ 120,600 |
€ 142,500 |
€ 120,400 |
€ 566,450 |
RAS Admin Fees 2005 - Sept. 2012
|
Waterford City Cl. |
€ - |
€ 32,850 |
€ 32,950 |
€ 54,150 |
€ 88,000 |
€ 103,500 |
€ 129,250 |
€ 112,400 |
€ 553,100 |
|
Waterford Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 2,300 |
€ 4,050 |
€ 19,800 |
€ 45,000 |
€ 57,100 |
€ 67,500 |
€ 52,350 |
€ 248,100 |
|
Westmeath Co. Cl. |
€ 7,500 |
€ - |
€ 17,250 |
€ 44,950 |
€ 70,200 |
€ 75,700 |
€ 81,950 |
€ 63,650 |
€ 361,200 |
|
Wexford Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 19,600 |
€ 22,700 |
€ 39,900 |
€ 72,200 |
€ 89,450 |
€ 125,250 |
€ 79,800 |
€ 448,900 |
|
Wicklow Co. Cl. |
€ - |
€ 4,200 |
€ 12,700 |
€ 38,850 |
€ 53,000 |
€ 65,900 |
€ 84,750 |
€ 67,400 |
€ 326,800 |
|
Totals |
€ 87,750 |
€379,700 |
€931,450 |
€2,263,018 |
€3,239,950 |
€3,684,550 |
€4,134,950 |
€3,593,050 |
€18,314,418 |
Funding for the RAS is provided by a transfer of monies from the Department of Social Protection's Vote to the Vote of my Department. Monies are provided on an Exchequer neutral basis to meet the costs of persons transferring from the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Rent Supplement Scheme to the RAS. Since its inception total expenditure on RAS to the end of September 2012 was some €480.43 million. The following table sets out details of annual expenditure on the scheme:
RAS Spend
|
Year |
Spend |
|
2004 |
€164,836 |
|
2005 |
€723,281 |
|
2006 |
€6,199,980 |
|
2007 |
€27,384,837 |
|
2008 |
€53,025,430 |
|
2009 |
€83,394,513 |
|
2010 |
€100,076,430 |
|
2011 |
€115,917,365 |
|
2012 |
€93,542,392 |
|
Total |
€480,429,064 |
The €135m budget provided for RAS in 2012 is intended to support the costs of all existing rent supplement households transferred to the scheme prior to 2012 and to fund the costs of rents of additional new transfers to the scheme (new supply) during the year.
The on-going costs of administering the scheme including staff and office accommodation costs, legal fees, advertising costs and general expenses are met out of savings under the scheme together with a direct payment from the Exchequer in the form of an administrative fee for each household managed under RAS. In addition a once-off administration fee is available to authorities who have assessed a Rent Supplement case for RAS but have subsequently accommodated the household in local authority social housing.
Transfers to RAS and Social Housing 2005 - Sept. 2012
|
Local Authorities (Housing) |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
End Sept 2012 |
TOTAL |
|
Carlow Co. Cl. |
0 |
28 |
113 |
133 |
150 |
132 |
128 |
99 |
783 |
|
Cavan Co. Cl. |
0 |
68 |
77 |
68 |
155 |
144 |
162 |
160 |
834 |
|
Clare Co. Cl. |
44 |
96 |
94 |
134 |
135 |
102 |
102 |
73 |
780 |
|
Cork City Cl. |
50 |
308 |
267 |
362 |
279 |
353 |
359 |
176 |
2,154 |
|
Cork Co. Cl. |
0 |
0 |
518 |
620 |
490 |
438 |
429 |
251 |
2,746 |
|
Donegal Co. Cl. |
141 |
373 |
402 |
222 |
298 |
323 |
277 |
106 |
2,142 |
|
Dublin City Cl. |
224 |
523 |
456 |
618 |
596 |
478 |
251 |
220 |
3,366 |
|
Dublin South Co. Cl. |
7 |
388 |
425 |
393 |
527 |
452 |
365 |
264 |
2,821 |
|
Dun/Rathdown Co.Cl. |
0 |
49 |
232 |
229 |
256 |
256 |
154 |
82 |
1,258 |
|
Fingal Co. Cl. |
0 |
122 |
171 |
281 |
347 |
331 |
548 |
327 |
2,127 |
|
Galway City Cl. |
62 |
184 |
227 |
244 |
208 |
135 |
168 |
46 |
1,274 |
|
Galway Co. Cl. |
0 |
112 |
132 |
142 |
157 |
158 |
113 |
105 |
919 |
|
Kerry Co. Cl. |
0 |
167 |
272 |
266 |
280 |
231 |
212 |
135 |
1,563 |
|
Kildare Co. Cl. |
0 |
0 |
286 |
346 |
93 |
201 |
202 |
86 |
1,214 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Cl. |
0 |
162 |
279 |
173 |
143 |
110 |
159 |
130 |
1,156 |
|
Laois Co. Cl. |
0 |
61 |
69 |
122 |
53 |
64 |
75 |
48 |
492 |
|
Leitrim Co. Cl. |
0 |
24 |
0 |
28 |
44 |
64 |
75 |
5 |
240 |
Transfers to RAS and Social Housing 2005 - Sept. 2012
|
Local Authority Housing |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
End Sept 2012 |
Total |
|
Limerick City Cl. |
42 |
116 |
118 |
123 |
133 |
174 |
175 |
110 |
991 |
|
Limerick Co. Cl. |
0 |
131 |
112 |
122 |
133 |
111 |
149 |
81 |
839 |
|
Longford Co. Cl. |
0 |
51 |
81 |
121 |
106 |
94 |
42 |
8 |
503 |
|
Louth Co. Cl. |
17 |
169 |
158 |
281 |
201 |
197 |
156 |
29 |
1,208 |
|
Mayo Co. Cl. |
0 |
128 |
245 |
244 |
234 |
251 |
224 |
126 |
1,452 |
|
Meath Co. Cl. |
0 |
39 |
43 |
108 |
135 |
164 |
168 |
88 |
745 |
|
Monaghan Co. Cl. |
0 |
76 |
88 |
83 |
72 |
117 |
59 |
30 |
525 |
|
Nth Tipperary Co. Cl. |
0 |
77 |
89 |
100 |
132 |
144 |
173 |
115 |
830 |
|
Offaly Co. Cl. |
7 |
53 |
65 |
376 |
127 |
113 |
86 |
63 |
890 |
|
Roscommon Co.Cl. |
0 |
57 |
148 |
13 |
145 |
165 |
144 |
96 |
768 |
|
Sligo Co. Cl. |
3 |
121 |
63 |
156 |
163 |
117 |
128 |
87 |
838 |
|
Sth Tipperary Co. Cl. |
0 |
129 |
179 |
13 |
200 |
196 |
199 |
157 |
1,073 |
|
Waterford City Cl. |
0 |
226 |
140 |
118 |
181 |
111 |
250 |
115 |
1,141 |
|
Waterford Co. Cl. |
0 |
40 |
46 |
101 |
142 |
155 |
99 |
70 |
653 |
|
Westmeath Co. Cl. |
0 |
72 |
83 |
140 |
162 |
91 |
71 |
51 |
670 |
|
Wexford Co. Cl. |
9 |
198 |
304 |
260 |
191 |
283 |
274 |
203 |
1,722 |
|
Wicklow Co. Cl. |
0 |
88 |
72 |
175 |
134 |
154 |
161 |
122 |
906 |
|
Totals |
606 |
4,436 |
6,054 |
6,915 |
6,802 |
6,609 |
6,337 |
3,864 |
41,623 |
697. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of contracts signed and the number of houses that were leased to qualified housing applicants in each local authority in 2011 and to date in 2012; the total number of properties leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47853/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the Scheme began in 2009, 3,458 housing units have been made available for use as social housing under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative. A breakdown of units provided in 2011, to date in 2012 and in total, by housing authority, is show in the following table.
|
Housing Authority |
Leasing Units provided in 2011* |
Leasing units provided to date in 2012* |
Cumulative Leasing Units provided |
|
Athlone Town Council |
10 |
33 |
50 |
|
Athy Town Council |
21 |
- |
21 |
|
Birr Town Council |
4 |
16 |
20 |
|
Bray Town Council |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Buncrana Town Council |
21 |
12 |
38 |
|
Bundoran Town Council |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Carlow County Council |
- |
6 |
23 |
|
Carlow Town Council |
14 |
- |
14 |
|
Cashel Town Council |
- |
3 |
4 |
|
Castlebar Town Council |
- |
- |
20 |
|
Cavan County Council |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
Clare County Council |
24 |
17 |
44 |
|
Clonmel Borough Council |
12 |
2 |
16 |
|
Cork City Council |
44 |
25 |
135 |
|
Cork County Council |
89 |
192 |
506 |
|
DLR County Council |
44 |
69 |
113 |
|
Donegal County Council |
29 |
38 |
87 |
|
Drogheda Borough Council |
- |
27 |
31 |
|
Dublin City Council |
166 |
- |
444 |
|
Dundalk Town Council |
42 |
89 |
155 |
|
Ennis Town Council |
6 |
7 |
15 |
|
Enniscorthy Town Council |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
Fingal County Council |
107 |
102 |
242 |
|
Galway City Council |
123 |
29 |
152 |
|
Galway County Council |
- |
12 |
12 |
|
Kerry County Council |
- |
7 |
7 |
|
Kildare County Council |
2 |
10 |
98 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
1 |
9 |
37 |
|
Laois County Council |
30 |
10 |
134 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Letterkenny Town Council |
14 |
10 |
42 |
|
Limerick City Council |
- |
10 |
10 |
|
Limerick County Council |
11 |
5 |
18 |
|
Longford County Council |
16 |
- |
20 |
|
Louth County Council |
24 |
- |
24 |
|
Mayo County Council |
14 |
15 |
31 |
|
Meath County Council |
38 |
17 |
82 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Nenagh Town Council |
24 |
6 |
30 |
|
North Tipperary County Co |
7 |
6 |
13 |
|
Offaly County Council |
14 |
27 |
64 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
4 |
- |
10 |
|
Sligo Borough Council |
8 |
2 |
10 |
|
Sligo County Council |
8 |
11 |
19 |
|
South Tipperary County Co |
7 |
12 |
20 |
|
Sth Dublin County Council |
116 |
29 |
305 |
|
Templemore Town Council |
32 |
18 |
50 |
|
Thurles Town Council |
6 |
6 |
12 |
|
Waterford City Council |
12 |
33 |
46 |
|
Waterford County Council |
19 |
15 |
63 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
11 |
22 |
96 |
|
Westport Town Council |
3 |
- |
3 |
|
Wexford Borough Council |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Wexford County Council |
24 |
12 |
46 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
1,193 |
962 |
3,458 |
* The figures compare the cumulative units at the end of 2011 to the most recent cumulative figure available.
698. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to correspondence outstanding since July 2012 (details supplied). [47862/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe correspondence in question relates to proposals to amend the Building Control Regulations which were the subject of an extensive public consultation process earlier this year and which are currently being finalised for signature into law. A detailed reply to the representations will issue shortly.
