Written Answers Nos. 136 - 145
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which his Department is engaged in the restoration of major historical or cultural sites throughout the country at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19709/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department have identified buildings or sites or cultural or historical significance deemed to be at risk for whatever reason; the action in hand or planned to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19710/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a comprehensive suite of tools, both legislative and advisory, at its disposal to address reports of actual damage or threats of damage to protected structures and monuments. All known archaeological monuments, of which there are in excess of 130,000, are entitled to protection under the National Monuments Acts. The National Monuments Acts 1930-2004 allow me to make a preservation order where I consider a national monument to be at risk. Protection may be extended to previously unrecorded monuments by entering them in the Register of Historic Monuments or the Record of Monuments and Places. Prosecutions in respect of damage to recorded monuments are initiated where warranted.
Under section 53 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2011, I may make recommendations to a planning authority concerning the inclusion in its record of protected structures any structures which I consider would merit such inclusion and the attendant planning restrictions which would apply to protect the structures’ special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. My Department has been and is currently involved in various actions which aim to address specific issues such as the endangerment of our national heritage. These include the work of an expert advisory committee, set up in 2011 and representing key stakeholders, to review the operation of Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2011 in respect of protection and management of architectural heritage.
Additionally I provide funding through a Structures at Risk Fund to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under Part IV and, in certain cases, works to safeguard structures within Architectural Conservation Areas, where an urgent need for works to such structures has arisen and has been demonstrated. Comprehensive statistics are not available in respect of the numbers of reports of actual damage or threats of damage to protected structures and monuments.
139. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of television licences issued in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [19490/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Post is charged with the role of “issuing agent” in respect of the collection and administration of television licence fees in accordance with the provisions of section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The number of licences issued in any particular year is a combination of direct sales by An Post and ‘free licences’ issued by the Department of Social Protection. The number of TV licences issued on behalf of Social Welfare recipients varies according to the number of people eligible for the Household Benefits Package, and this can change from month to month.
The table below provides (i) the total number of licences sold by An Post in the year in question and (ii) the number of "free licences" recorded on the Department of Social Protection's database at the end of the year in question, which is a reflection of the number of free licences in existence at that point in time.
|
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
|
Number of TV Licences sold directly by An Post |
227,813 (to end Mar) |
1,003,860 |
1,021,443 |
1,038,665 |
|
Number of TV Licences issued by the Department of Social Protection |
410,414 (Mar figure) |
407,927 |
403,815 |
393,051 |
|
Total Licences |
638,227 |
1,411,787 |
1,425,258 |
1,431,716 |
140. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil and public servants under the remit of his Department who earn more than €500,000, between €400,000 and €500,000, €300,000 and €400,000, €250,000 and €300,000, €200,000 and €250,000, €150,000 and €200,000, €100,000 and €150,000, €80,000 and €100,000, €60,000 and €80,000, €40,000 and €60,000, €30,000 and €40,000 and less than €30,000. [19495/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy, in respect of my Department, is outlined below:
|
Salary Band |
Number of Staff |
|
0 – 30K |
47 |
|
30K - 40K |
47 |
|
40K - 60K |
95 |
|
60K - 80K |
41 |
|
80K - 100K |
28 |
|
100K - 150K |
9 |
|
150K - 200K |
1 |
No member of staff in my Department is paid a salary greater than €200,000.
Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy.
141. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to seek agreement during the EU Presidency to expedite the abolition of roaming charges here and in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19548/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulation No. 531/2012 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 June 2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union regulates the maximum retail charges which can be imposed for mobile roaming services in the EU. It is the third in a series of such Regulations, each of which has reduced the maximum permitted roaming charges.
The current EU Regulation, which commenced on 1 July 2012, imposes further reductions to retail roaming charges to be implemented by 1 July 2013 and a further reduction required by I July 2014. The Regulation also provides for a review of its effectiveness, including a review of the availability of offers providing a single tariff for national and roaming services, to be undertaken by the EU Commission and a report to be submitted to the European Parliament and Council by 30 June 2016. It is within this timeframe that any additional steps to further reduce the maximum permitted retail roaming charges will be considered.
While roaming is not part of the list of new legislative and non-legislative files being dealt with by the Irish Presidency, there is a clear EU timetable for reducing the maximum permitted roaming rates, which will include further reductions from 1 July 2013. The review mechanism is also designed to ensure that the impact of these measures is closely monitored and that new measures can be introduced if necessary.
142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding VAT registration (details supplied). [19580/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 182 of 24 April 2013 which sets out the position in the matter.
143. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the local councils have the right to refuse tenants the right to put in gas meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19518/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock, is the responsibility of the relevant housing authority. As owners of their social rented properties decisions in relation to the installation of fittings and equipment, including gas meters, are a matter for individual housing authorities.
144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local councils have the authority to amend the tenants handbook and change terms and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19519/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority dwellings is a matter for the authority concerned and one in which I have no function. The tenancy agreement is the legal basis for the relationship between the housing authority and its tenant and can be amended by agreement between the parties. Where a tenant’s consent is not forthcoming to an amendment considered necessary by an authority, it is a matter for the authority to determine how to proceed having regard to its powers under the Housing Acts and the tenancy agreement concerned.
145. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the services the Pyrite Resolution Board can offer to householders who are affected by pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19551/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI set up the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB) to oversee and ensure the effective implementation of a pyrite remediation scheme for homeowners who have no other viable option to have pyrite remediation works undertaken. The Board is currently drawing up the precise scope and detail of a pyrite remediation scheme including the eligibility criteria, priorities, procedures and assessment /testing requirements etc. It is also in the process of developing a website where all relevant documentation in relation to the remediation scheme will be made available. It will take some time for the necessary structures to be put in place, including funding, to enable the Resolution Board to begin accepting applications.
The not-for-profit entity, being established by the construction stakeholders, will operate the remediation scheme and the PRB will work closely with it to ensure delivery of the maximum possible progress in remediating dwellings which are affected by significant damage due to pyritic heave within defined priorities. It will receive and assess applications for remediation under the terms and conditions of the scheme and will have oversight of the various stages of the remediation process to ensure that works are carried out in accordance with I.S. 398 -2:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Methodology for remediation works. The Chairman and members of the PRB are committed to ensuring that an efficient and effective remediation process is delivered and that the public interest and the interest of affected homeowners are well served.
