Written Answers Nos. 155-162
155. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his officials met any representatives of the tobacco industry in the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3619/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo representatives of the tobacco industry have been met by myself, my colleagues , Minister of State, Jan O’Sullivan, T.D and Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd, T.D., or officials in my Department in the last six months.
156. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline in comprehensive detail the supports which are available for persons who wish to put in place a group sewerage scheme, including the financial assistance by way of grant aid that is available from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3639/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997.
Last month I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever was the lesser.
I propose, in the first instance, to carry out a number of pilot schemes based on the increased grant level. My Department asked local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. The selection of the pilot schemes and related funding arrangements will be completed as soon as possible after examination of the proposals recently received from local authorities.
157. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any action a resident or tenant can take regarding flooding and dampness in their home while on the Dublin housing list (details supplied) [3691/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department understands that the property in this case is owned by Dublin City Council and is being managed and maintained by Clúid Housing Association on behalf of the Council.
Local authorities, as landlords and owners of their social housing stock, are responsible for the management, maintenance and repair of all their rented properties. Matters relating to the management and maintenance of the property referred to should be taken up with either the City Council’s agent, in this case Clúid Housing Association, or directly with Dublin City Council.
158. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to prevent the dumping of spoil for the next three years in Dublin Bay; if this action contravenes the OSPAR Convention 1998 of which Ireland is a signatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3700/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OSPAR Convention recognises the jurisdictional rights of States over the seas and the freedom of the High Seas, and, within this framework, works to prevent and eliminate marine pollution and to achieve sustainable management of the maritime area. Overall, the work of the OSPAR Commission is guided by the ecosystem approach to an integrated management of human activities in the marine environment. This is also a main element of the EU’s Water Framework and Marine Strategy Framework Directives. The essence of this approach is to allow sustainable exploitation of natural resources while maintaining the quality, structure and functioning of the marine ecosystems.
The dumping of spoil is regulated by the Dumping at Sea Acts. Since 15 February 2010, it is a function of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue Dumping at Sea permits under the Dumping at Sea Acts 1996 to 2010. In relation to specific dumping at sea applications, these are a matter for the Board of the EPA, and I have no function in the administration of the permits system.
159. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the environmental effects that will occur as a result of the proposed exploration being planned by a company (details supplied) off the coast of Dalkey, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3704/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA foreshore licence was granted to the company in question on 27 September 2012 in respect of works specified in its application. Information on my decision to grant the licence, including potential environmental effects and the conditions imposed to mitigate there, is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Foreshore/ApplicationsandDeterminations/ProvidenceResourcesPLC/.
160. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 779 of 16 January 2013, when he expects to receive a report on the figures from January 2012 to June 2012 providing a breakdown on the district courts that are enforcing section 63 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I previously advised the Deputy, the Courts Service has put in place arrangements to ensure that summonses issued since May 2012 include wording to advise persons charged with an offence under the Road Traffic Acts to bring their driving licence together with a photocopy of the licence when they are attending court. I am informed that the Courts Service has communicated with the judiciary to facilitate an arrangement that defendants who appear before the court are requested in court to produce their driving licence and a copy thereof to the court registrar for the purpose of having the driving licence number recorded. The Deputy will appreciate that the Courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter for the presiding judge.
The interim report did not include the breakdown sought by the Deputy. I am informed that, in preparing the report, the Service has due regard to the independence of the judiciary. The Service has, as already indicated, commenced the process of putting in place arrangements to ensure, insofar as is possible, within its remit, that the provisions of the Act can be implemented to best possible effect. The Service has stated that work is ongoing in this area and has undertaken to provide a further update by the end of July 2013.
161. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the initiatives taken by the Gardaí to tackle rural crime, particularly burglaries of homes and farmyards; if there are specific initiatives to protect the elderly in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3501/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the deep distress which burglary and similar crimes can cause to householders in rural areas, and the broader impact it can have in terms of fear of crime in our communities, particularly among the elderly.
While the latest official crime statistics from the Central Statistics Office show that most types of crime are in fact falling, I remain concerned, as does the Garda Commissioner, about the incidence of burglary and therefore welcome the progress being made as part of Operation Fiacla. The Operation is the subject of regular monitoring and review by senior Garda management and is focused on identifying and targeting gangs involved in burglaries around the country so as to disrupt their activities and bring them before the Courts.
Operation Fiacla is intelligence driven, and specific burglary initiatives have been implemented in each Garda Region to target suspect offenders. These initiatives optimise the use of existing structures and local Garda management ensure that all personnel are fully briefed on the initiative, with Divisional Crime Management Teams playing a key coordination and implementation role.
I am further informed that, as of 31 December 2012, 3,538 persons have been arrested and 1,924 persons have been charged as part of the Operation, showing that the Garda Commissioner is effectively deploying the substantial resources available to him in a targeted approach to confront those engaged in this form of criminality.
In addition to this specific operation, the Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime and is directed and supported each year by the Garda Síochána Annual Policing Plan. Each Garda District and Divisional Officer also configures their policing response to local conditions to ensure that an appropriate policing service is delivered to rural areas. The Gardaí continue to work closely with communities to enhance community safety in a wide range of local fora, including the Joint Policing Committees, and through programmes such as Community Alert which operates in cooperation with the programme partners, Muintir na Tíre, and has led to the establishment of 1,345 Community Alert groups countrywide.
An Garda Síochána's Older People Strategy reiterates An Garda Síochána’s overriding objective, set out in the Strategy Statement 2010-2012, which is to prevent, detect and disrupt crime and criminal activity and to ensure that people feel safe in their homes, on our roads and in public places, specifically as it refers to older people.
During 2012, the national Garda Supporting Safer Community Campaigns have continued to highlight key issues, in particular Crime Prevention. The first campaign took place in May and the second campaign, which took place in September, focused primarily on Burglary, Road Safety and Supporting Victims of Crime.
In addition, An Garda Síochána are developing further strategies in relation to the prevention and reduction of burglaries and metal theft.
It is the Government's intention to ensure that frontline services are maintained at the highest level possible through the most efficient use of resources. The Commissioner enjoys my full support and that of the Government in continuing to confront crime in all its forms. I have every confidence that he and everyone in An Garda Síochána will continue to deliver an effective police service in rural as in all other areas.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected position in regard to the investigation into the incident reported by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare arising from a fire on their property on the 9 April 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3511/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to was fully investigated and an investigation file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who directed no prosecution. The Deputy will appreciate that a decision on whether to prosecute or not in a particular case is a matter for the DPP, who is independent in carrying out her functions.
