Written Answers Nos. 444-466
444. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the grants or financial supports available from his Department to assist with the removal of asbestos from residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6598/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have any grant available specific to the removal of asbestos from homes. However, the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability provide a range of grants for necessary improvement works or adaptations to houses in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability. These schemes cover works reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of applicants, and can in those circumstances include the removal of asbestos.
The schemes are administered by local authorities and it is a matter for each local authority to determine how the funding is apportioned between the various grant measures and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within the capital allocations provided by my Department.
It is recommended that expert advice should be sought in dealing with asbestos materials and if removal is necessary it should only be done by a competent contractor with the required training.
445. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the provision of a sewerage scheme for Killala, County Mayo; if he will prioritise the funding of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6609/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, 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 Mayo. The Killala Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010 – 2013. The inclusion of the scheme in the current Water Services Investment Programme reflects the importance attached to this scheme by my Department.
I understand from Mayo County Council that a Design Review Report, which is an update of the original Preliminary Report for the Killala Sewerage Scheme, is being prepared by the Council. Once the report is submitted to and approved by my Department, the Council can then proceed with the preparation of Contract Documents for the scheme.
446. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the provision of a water scheme from Balla to Kiltimagh, County Mayo; if he will prioritise the funding of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6639/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, 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 Mayo. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €71 million in Co. Mayo during the period of the Programme. However, the Kiltimagh Water Supply Scheme was not amongst the contracts and schemes included in Mayo County Council’s assessment of needs.
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 Mayo County Council, in response to my Department’s request to 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 – 2013 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 Kiltimagh Water Supply Scheme was received from Mayo County Council in response to the review.
447. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when local authorities will be notified about the 2013 housing adaptation grants; if the scheme will remain unchanged; the allocation by local authority in 2011 and 2012; if the grants were not fully taken up by local authorities, the ones that were not and to what extent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6655/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra452. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when 2013 funding will be released to local authorities in respect of the housing adaption grant scheme. [6800/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 452 together.
Work is currently underway on preparing the capital allocations under the housing programme for 2013, including the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. As part of this process, my Department requested local authorities to submit details of their funding requirements under the grant schemes. The information received is being assessed at present. I intend to announce details of the capital allocations to individual authorities as soon as possible. I also intend to review the terms and conditions of the various grant measures with a view to targeting those households in greatest need and extending the benefits of the schemes to as many people as possible. The Exchequer allocations for 2011 and 2012 and the percentage drawn down by each Local Authority are set out in the following table:
|
- |
- |
- |
2011 |
- |
- |
2012 |
|
Local Authority |
Exchequer Allocation |
Amount Recouped |
% Recouped |
Exchequer Allocation |
Amount Recouped |
% Recouped |
|
Carlow County Council |
€1,579,211 |
1,491,545.00 |
94% |
€1,179,211 |
€1,180,585 |
100% |
|
Cavan County Council |
€1,500,000 |
1,176,998.00 |
78% |
€1,050,000 |
€1,081,981 |
103% |
|
Clare County Council |
€2,865,000 |
2,864,632.44 |
100% |
€1,100,552 |
€1,100,540 |
100% |
|
Cork County Council |
€5,542,819 |
5,542,818.79 |
100% |
€6,629,387 |
€7,399,566 |
112% |
|
Donegal County Council |
€853,239 |
747,971.59 |
88% |
€815,517 |
€525,804 |
64% |
|
Dun Laogh/Rath Co Council |
€809,571 |
809,571.00 |
100% |
€888,482 |
€885,948 |
100% |
|
Fingal County Council |
€1,822,713 |
1,822,713.29 |
100% |
€1,657,892 |
€1,512,653 |
91% |
|
Galway County Council |
€2,147,000 |
2,095,830.40 |
98% |
€1,900,000 |
€1,885,389 |
99% |
|
Kerry County Council |
€3,607,218 |
3,592,666.00 |
100% |
€2,606,292 |
€2,681,469 |
103% |
|
Kildare County Council |
€2,852,228 |
2,852,228.00 |
100% |
€1,620,000 |
€1,622,812 |
100% |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€2,107,131 |
2,107,033.00 |
100% |
€1,494,000 |
€1,494,233 |
100% |
|
Laois County Council |
€936,874 |
936,075.00 |
100% |
€867,862 |
€868,658 |
100% |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€537,493 |
537,492.56 |
100% |
€555,044 |
€513,293 |
92% |
|
Limerick County Council |
€1,707,849 |
1,707,454.12 |
100% |
€1,378,764 |
€1,386,333 |
101% |
|
Longford County Council |
€1,000,000 |
929,556.00 |
93% |
€994,860 |
€756,742 |
76% |
|
Louth County Council |
€994,374 |
964,682.00 |
97% |
€949,012 |
€778,682 |
82% |
|
Mayo County Council |
€2,274,400 |
278,697.80 |
12% |
€2,060,173 |
€2,067,116 |
100% |
|
Meath County Council |
€1,187,042 |
1,184,941.29 |
100% |
€857,766 |
€857,766 |
100% |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€1,250,000 |
1,232,862.53 |
99% |
€1,200,000 |
€1,202,542 |
100% |
|
North Tipp County Council |
€1,313,209 |
1,313,209.73 |
100% |
€960,000 |
€962,286 |
100% |
|
Offaly County Council |
€1,406,000 |
1,405,541.00 |
100% |
€700,000 |
€675,600 |
97% |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€1,511,000 |
1,509,695.33 |
100% |
€783,401 |
€784,732 |
100% |
|
Sligo County Council |
€854,147 |
810,753.00 |
95% |
€798,147 |
€611,596 |
77% |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€1,265,658 |
1,029,554.58 |
81% |
€1,782,647 |
€1,473,599 |
83% |
|
South Tipp County Council |
€2,800,000 |
2,764,132.00 |
99% |
€2,489,371 |
€2,429,987 |
98% |
|
Waterford County Council |
€1,200,235 |
1,147,109.00 |
96% |
€795,813 |
€935,685 |
118% |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€1,064,631 |
1,057,842.80 |
99% |
€790,524 |
€752,022 |
95% |
|
Wexford County Council |
€2,219,619 |
2,219,617.20 |
100% |
€2,153,418 |
€2,144,517 |
100% |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€949,408 |
945,879.20 |
100% |
€763,835 |
€671,167 |
88% |
|
Cork City Council |
€2,190,333 |
2,190,333.00 |
100% |
€1,399,793 |
€644,104 |
46% |
|
Dublin City Council |
€6,951,464 |
6,557,159.46 |
94% |
€7,614,654 |
€7,634,853 |
100% |
|
Galway City Council |
€834,870 |
834,870.00 |
100% |
€872,682 |
€808,083 |
93% |
|
Limerick City Council |
€1,639,000 |
1,636,576.87 |
100% |
€1,520,000 |
€1,564,252 |
103% |
|
Waterford City Council |
€700,322 |
700,321.29 |
100% |
€662,225 |
€589,823 |
89% |
|
Sligo Borough Council |
€334,467 |
322,465.48 |
96% |
€308,675 |
€328,268 |
106% |
448. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a decision is taken to reduce the number of seats the State is entitled to in the European Parliament as a result of the accession of Croatia, the steps which will be taken in relation to the issue; if he will extend the remit of the current Constituencies Commission which is considering local government electoral boundaries; if a new Constituency Commission will be established; if he will outline the timescale for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6673/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 14.2 of the Treaty on European Union sets an overall ceiling of 751 seats for the European Parliament. There is a need to readjust the distribution of seats in the Parliament to take account of the accession of Croatia in 2013. This will need to be done in good time before the 2014 elections.
The right of initiative on this matter rests with the European Parliament. The European Parliament Constitutional Affairs Committee is currently considering a draft report on the matter and Ireland would lose a seat if the recommendations in that were carried through. The European Parliament will vote in Plenary on this matter in March. It will then go to the General Affairs Council.
In the event that Ireland’s total number of seats in the European Parliament is reduced it will be necessary to review and revise the constituency arrangement. In the meantime my Department is giving consideration to how such a review and revision might be addressed once decisions are made in Europe.
449. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the closing date for septic tank registration for a period of one month in order to allow households that will have issues with their septic tanks the opportunity of applying for grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6686/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects inspections of septic tanks to begin; if he will provide details of the body responsible for these inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7422/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the person responsible for the administration of septic tank remediation grants for homes whose septic tanks have failed inspections; if these grants will be paid directly to the householder or to companies carrying out remediation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7423/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to septic tank inspections and remediation grants if he will advise if companies wishing to be eligible to carry out remediation works will need to register with a body at national or local level and be approved before being able to carry out such work; if he intends to bring in any controls in order to ensure that price fixing, by companies carrying out remediation works, does not occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 475 to 477, inclusive, together.
On 25 June 2012 I signed the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Registration) Regulations 2012, prescribing 1 February 2013 as the date by which householders must register their domestic waste water treatment systems. Written and on-line registration facilities, with a variety of payment options, have been available since 26 June 2012 and have been comprehensively publicised. I consider that ample time has been provided to householders to comply with the legal obligation to register and I have no plans to extend the registration period.
On 17 December 2012 I announced my intention to introduce a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems are deemed to require remediation following an inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. Full details of the scheme will be defined in regulations which I will make in advance of inspections commencing later this year. Inspections will be carried out by appropriately qualified local authority staff who will be appointed as inspectors by the EPA. A training course for inspectors is currently being finalised and it will be extended to all local authorities in the coming weeks. Inspections will commence later this year and householders will be notified by their local authority in writing if their system is to be inspected.
Where a domestic wastewater treatment system is found to be a risk to human health or the environment and remediation works are required, the selection of a contractor to carry out the works required, and agreement to the cost of those works, will be a matter for the householder concerned. Due to the variety of remediation works which could arise, and the number of trades and professions which could be involved, I have no plans to establish a registration system for contractors involved in remediation works.
450. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options available in respect of a housing complex (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6695/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2012, my Department provided funding in the sum of €198,441 to Dublin City Council for the refurbishment of housing units at Cromcastle Court. The nature and extent of the refurbishment works were determined by the City Council.
Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock, including the compilation and funding of on-going maintenance programmes and pre-letting repairs, is the responsibility of the relevant housing authority, in this case Dublin City Council.
453. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a timeline for the publication of legislation to establish the pyrite resolution board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6803/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra454. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects to appoint members to the pyrite resolution board following his commitment made in December 2012 that members would be appointed early in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 together.
The Pyrite Resolution Board is not being set up under statute and its establishment does not therefore require legislation. I have previously announced its establishment and I refer to the reply to Priority Question 129 of 5 February 2013 in which I outlined the membership of the Board.
456. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an estate (details supplied) in south Tipperary was not included on the unfinished housing estates list for household charge purposes despite requests from South Tipperary County Council to have the estate listed as unfinished; and if he will ensure that the list is corrected to include the estate. [6859/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, published by my Department in October 2011, local authorities, including South Tipperary County Council, 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.
This local authority 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 charge. The list of developments in which households are eligible for the waiver in 2012 is set out under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012.
Under the legislation, 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/she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.
457. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork applying for social housing; and if the Revenue Commissioners will not stamp the HPL1 form. [6861/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions on the eligibility of specific persons for social housing support and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the housing authority concerned. Furthermore, section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister’s power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions is not to be construed as enabling him or her to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned.
Issues in relation to the stamping of the HPL 1 form are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
458. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any consideration has been given to grant aiding local authorities to roll-out a retro-fitting insulation scheme for older council dwellings, especially for tenants dependent on social welfare who cannot afford even the basic insulation in their rented homes. [6866/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock. The programme includes a retrofitting measure aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and houses by reducing heat loss through the fabric of the building. Over the past two years, the retrofitting measure focused on improvement works to vacant houses with the objective of returning as many as possible of these dwellings to productive use and combating dereliction and associated anti-social behaviour. Over that period some €52.5 million was recouped to local authorities in respect of improvements carried out to 4,774 dwellings.
I am currently reviewing the terms of the energy retrofitting measure for 2013 with a view to targeting grants at those older houses and apartments which lack adequate insulation and draught proofing. My Department will issue revised guidelines in this regard to local authorities in the context of the capital allocations under the housing programme for 2013.
459. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the standards which are expected of local authorities and other social housing with regards to insulation and heat efficiency; if all council housing should be BER rating B at least; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6867/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years significant efforts have been made to ensure that all new construction projects, including social housing units commissioned by local authorities or by approved housing bodies, are designed and built to high standards of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. To that end, Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations 2011, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document L, requires that all new housing, including social housing: has 60% lower heat energy demand than a similar house built to 2005 standards; requires the installation of boilers with a minimum seasonal efficiency of not less than 90% (condensing boilers); requires the mandatory use of renewable energy sources (a minimum of 10 kilowatt hours per square metre per annum).
Under the Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their existing social housing stock. The programme includes retrofitting measures aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and houses by reducing heat loss through the fabric of the building and the installation of high-efficiency condensing boilers. While the objective is to improve the general standard of a local authority house and increase the Building Energy Rating (BER) to as high a level as possible, with C1 being the target figure, it may not be practicable to bring every dwelling to this standard, especially in the case of older stock. Exchequer grants are not payable in respect of the achievement of G or F ratings.
460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date in respect of the publication of the climate change Bill, with particular reference to future environmental and economic sustainability and the meeting of emission reduction targets of 80% by 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6903/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 132 of 5 February 2013.
In releasing the outline Heads of the Bill shortly, I will address both the importance of environmental and economic sustainability, and the critical issue of meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
461. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the contracts/tenders for the installation of water meters will be advertised in the context of the establishment of Irish Water; if the contracts will be offered on a regional or county-by-county basis; the number of jobs that will be created in the installation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7033/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 domestic water metering programme and for the collection of water charges from households.
Bord Gáis Éireann/Irish Water will procure a number (up to 8) of regional management contractors (RMCs) who will be responsible for managing the installation of boundary boxes and water meters drawing on sub-contractor resources from the framework panel of sub-contractors. Invitations were published on the Government tenders website, e-tenders.ie, from November 2012 for the pre-qualification process for the RMCs and closed on 11 January 2013. It is expected that tenders will shortly be invited from the pre-qualified candidates and contracts will begin to be awarded from April.
The procurement process for the sub-contractor panel has been developed by my Department, in consultation with Bord Gáis Éireann, to ensure that SMEs have an opportunity to compete for contracts. The tender criteria have been developed to ensure that sub-contractors have the capacity to carry out the scale of work involved to the necessary high standard. The approach being taken for the sub-contractor panel is consistent with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on facilitating SME participation in public procurement (that Department’s Circular 10/10 refers).
It is expected that the successful RMCs will be utilising the resources of the pre-qualified sub-contractors for the purpose of delivering the meter installation works.
As the procurement process is currently underway it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
462. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are permitted to evict tenants or if there is an injunction in place prohibiting it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Supreme Court issued a judgment in February 2012 in two cases relating to section 62 of the Housing Act 1966, which sets out the procedure for repossession of a dwelling by a housing authority. In one case, the court made a declaration, pursuant to section 5(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, that section 62(3) of the Housing Act 1966 is incompatible with the State’s obligations under Article 8 of the Convention by reason of the absence of appropriate procedural safeguards in circumstances where there exists a factual dispute as to whether a tenancy has been properly terminated for breach of the tenancy agreement. In the other case, the court ruled that there was no dispute as to the facts and did not make a declaration of incompatibility.
Section 5(2) of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 provides that a declaration of incompatibility in respect of an enactment does not affect its validity, continuing operation or enforcement. Nonetheless, housing authorities were advised in March 2012 that they should, in consultation with their legal advisers, review their approach to section 62 of the 1966 Act to ensure that their application of the enactment is consistent with the Supreme Court judgment and that, in cases where they decide that it would not be appropriate to proceed by way of that enactment, authorities should investigate alternative options for securing possession of their dwellings.
It is intended that proposals currently being developed for new housing legislation will include a revised procedure for repossession of local authority dwellings.
463. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans regarding littering and illegal dumping in the northside of Dublin. [7075/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary role of my Department in relation to combating litter and illegal dumping matters is to provide a robust governing legislative framework. The key legislative codes in that regard are the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 and the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2011; in particular, section 32 of the 1996 Act places the responsibility on the holders of waste to ensure that it is managed in a manner that does not cause environmental pollution.
Penalties available under the Litter Pollution Acts for litter offences range from an on-the-spot fine of €150, to a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction, and a maximum fine of €130,000 on conviction on indictment. The fines for continuing offences are €600 per day for summary offences and €10,000 per day for indictable offences. A person convicted of a litter offence may also be required by the court to pay the local authority’s costs and expenses in investigating the offence and bringing the prosecution.
Penalties for more serious dumping offences provided for under the Waste Management Acts are also substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Notwithstanding the significant penalties currently in place, my Department is preparing legislative proposals that would provide for the introduction of on-the-spot fines for incidences of fly-tipping or small-scale illegal dumping. I expect to be in a position to submit proposed Heads of a Bill in this regard to Government for approval by the end of the first quarter of this year.
The taking of enforcement action in relation to any particular incident of littering or illegal dumping is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned and also the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Enforcement which supervises the environmental protection activities of local authorities. While having no operational role in these matters, my Department provides funding to support the activities of a network of local authority environmental enforcement officers. Each local authority sets out an annual programme of action, detailing the enforcement activities towards which this funding will be utilised. Typically, such programmes also include actions to tackle illegal dumping. I expect to be in a position to finalise 2013 funding allocations for this purpose in the coming weeks, in the context of finalising the overall allocations from the Environment Fund.
My Department also provides funding for an Anti-Litter Awareness Grant Scheme. Once the 2013 Environment Fund allocations are finalised, local authorities will be invited to apply for grant aid for projects which meet the criteria governing the scheme.
464. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure that Irish Water complies with the Aarhus Convention and related European directives and European law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7148/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt will be the primary responsibility of Irish Water to ensure that it is compliant with EU law, including requirements in relation to water such as the Urban Waste Water and Drinking Water Directives. Environmental regulation of the new company will be the responsibility of the EPA. The roll out of the Implementation Strategy for Water Sector Reform, which is published on my Department’s website, is focused on ensuring that appropriate policy and legal frameworks are put in place for Irish Water and the water sector, and that all aspects of current environmental regulation are provided for in the transfer of responsibility for water services provision from local authorities to Irish Water.
465. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007, by including a genuine grandfather clause, in order to take special consideration of the situation of long standing practitioners in the field of architecture, who do not, at present hold the necessary accreditation. [7161/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 131 and 139 of 6 February 2013 which sets out t he position in this matter.
466. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will approve a request by Kerry County Council for €1.2 million funding to allow it to include essential pipe works under the Ardfert sewage upgrade which have already been approved by his Department. [7193/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kerry. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of over €92 million in Kerry during the period of the Programme.
The Ardfert Sewerage Scheme Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade is included as a contract to start during the life of the Programme. In November 2012, I approved Kerry County Council’s Design Proposals for the Ardfert Wastewater Treatment Plant. The network element of the scheme is included in the Programme to advance through planning during the life of the Programme.
