Brendan Griffin
Ceist:39. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when householders will be able to avail of grants to improve their septic tanks. [20304/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeptic Tank Inspections
Ceisteanna (39, 40, 42, 157)
Mick Wallace
Ceist:40. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update in the number of septic tanks that have been inspected by his Department to date; the total number of tanks he intends to have inspected in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20424/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Griffin
Ceist:42. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if householders can be proactive and if they will be able to avail of grants to improve their septic tanks in advance of any inspection being carried out by their local authority, or if they will have to wait to be inspected and failed. [20305/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Pat Deering
Ceist:157. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a commencement date has been set for a septic tank inspections; when the grant for upgrading malfunctioning systems will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20904/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 40, 42 and 157 together.
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 assigns responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a National Inspection Plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems. The National Inspection Plan 2013: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems was adopted and published by the EPA in February 2013. The Plan provides for a minimum of 1,000 inspections to be carried out during the twelve-month period commencing in July 2013. Details of the minimum number of inspections for each council area are included in the Plan. It is the responsibility of the water services authorities (the 34 county and city councils) to implement the Inspection Plan in their functional areas.
The Local Authority Services National Training Group, in consultation with my Department, the EPA and the water services authorities, is overseeing the development and delivery of a training course for inspectors. The course will shortly be rolled out to water services authority personnel who have successfully completed the training course and who meet the qualification criteria set out in the Water Services Act 2007 (Registration and Inspections) Regulations 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library. The EPA is responsible for the appointment of the inspectors.
In 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. Provision for the scheme is being made from my Department’s Vote in 2013. The grant scheme will only apply to owners of treatment systems which are the subject of an Advisory Notice issued by a water services authority following an inspection carried out under the 2012 Act. Full details of the scheme will be set out in regulations which I will make in advance of inspections commencing.
Security of the Elderly
Ceisteanna (41)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:41. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money made available for the seniors scheme this year; the amount sanctioned to date; the amount paid out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20472/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Seniors Alert Scheme provides grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of equipment to enable older persons, without sufficient means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
The funding allocated to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2013 is €2.35m. Expenditure to date on the Scheme is approximately €838,000.
Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 39.
Irish Water Establishment
Ceisteanna (43)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:43. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the budget that has been allocated for the establishment and programme spend of Irish Water, including wages. [20496/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer to the reply to Question No. 176 of 17 April 2013 which outlines the position in the matter.
Question No. 44 answered with Question No. 29.
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (45)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:45. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the time frame for the introduction of a planning regulator; the nature of the regulator’s role and relationship with current planning bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20456/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government published its response to the recommendations of the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal on 19 July 2012 including in respect of an independent planning regulator, to which it has agreed in principle. I also discussed this specific recommendation with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 29 January 2013. Following further appropriate, Government consideration of this recommendation, and taking into account the views expressed by the members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, it is my intention shortly to announce details of the intended role and functions of a proposed new Office of the Planning Regulator.
Rural Recreation Promotion
Ceisteanna (46)
Robert Troy
Ceist:46. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the programme of work laid out by his Department for rural recreation development this year; the new aspects to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20473/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In regard to rural recreation development, my Department continues to engage with 12 Local Development Companies with whom we have Service Level Agreements in place. These agreements relate to appropriate schemes and actions to implement relevant objectives of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and the continued implementation of the Walks Scheme. The Walks Scheme was originally launched in March 2008 , and an additional 4 Local Development Companies are separately contracted to deliver this scheme which is currently operating on 40 trails supported by 1,811 landowners. The initial 5-year contracts are now beginning to expire and work on renewing these contracts has commenced. Renewal of existing contracts over the next two years will constitute a significant body of work, as they must be renegotiated individually with each landowner due to a reduction in the rate of payment.
My Department is continuing negotiations with other State Agencies to agree a National Outdoor Recreation Plan for Public Lands and Waters in Ireland. A successful outcome to these negotiations would provide the basis for coordinated development of state lands for recreation and tourism purposes. It would facilitate the professional development of recreation policy makers and managers and enhance the development of best practice and the use of shared expertise and resources.
A pilot Mountain Access scheme is under development. It is intended to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities. A pilot scheme has been developed at Mount Gable in Connemara and there is general agreement among the relevant stakeholders that the initial proposed Carrantuohill scheme be extended to the entire MacGillicuddy Reeks in Co Kerry. A report is being commissioned to advise on the most appropriate management structure to put in place there , given that the overall area to be encompassed by the extended scheme will exceed 100 sq. kms.
I have provided an additional €755,000 in current funding this year to support the roll out of the MacGillicuddy Reeks Mountain Access Project and to provide for maintenance work on a number of priority walking trails including those not covered by the Walks Scheme. It is hoped, in due course, to agree a financial package to ensure trails and recreational infrastructure are developed and maintained to international standards, thus protecting significant public investment to date, creating and maintaining employment and developing related tourism potential.
My Department continues to be a main funding partner of Leave No Trace Ireland which promotes responsible recreational use in the outdoors. It continues to chair regular meetings of Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council). Additional meetings are held with relevant stakeholders on issues such as the development of Greenways, off-road cycling routes and water based activities, among others.
My Department is also working closely with the State Claims Agency following the successful establishment of an Irish arm of the Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group (VSCG), which is focussed on how to create safe access to the countryside in ways that do not spoil landscape and heritage, or lessen the visitor’s sense of exploration and adventure. A National Indemnity Scheme , to be managed in conjunction with the State Claims Agency, is currently under negotiation. The proposed scheme would indemnify private landowners nationally against claims from recreational users for injury or damage to property. It has the potential to remove a significant barrier for landowners who wish to facilitate recreational access and to ameliorate concerns of those who might wish to consider future engagement in that regard.