Written Answers Nos. 63 - 70
64. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the setting up of pyremco; if he will outline the way he envisages the remediation works being managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20423/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe three construction stakeholders, the Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Concrete Federation and HomeBond agreed to set up a not-for-profit entity to operate a pyrite remediation scheme under the supervision of the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB). The entity is currently in the process of being established. Representatives of the three bodies have had a number of meetings to agree the appropriate format for the entity. A number of directors have been proposed and it is envisaged that this process will be completed as quickly as possible.
The PRB will have responsibility to oversee and ensure the effective implementation of a pyrite remediation scheme for home owners who have no other viable option to have pyrite remediation works undertaken. The Board will work closely with the entity to ensure the delivery of the maximum possible progress in remediating dwellings which are affected by significant damage due to pyritic heave within defined priorities. The PRB will receive and assess applications for remediation under the terms and conditions of the scheme. Only applications that have been approved by the PRB will be forwarded to the entity to undertake the next stages of the remediation process. The PRB will have oversight of the various stages of the whole process carried out in a fair and transparent manner and 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.
65. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made with the proposed alignment of local government and the engagement there has been with representatives of staff and the community sector. [20498/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the publication of Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government, an Alignment Working Group has been established to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. The Group has had three meetings to date and is overseeing the practical arrangements necessary to give effect to the new local structures, including the establishment of Socio-Economic Committees in each local authority administrative area.
The Alignment Working Group comprises representatives of the City and County Managers Association, the Irish Local Development Network and Pobal, and is chaired and supported in its work by my Department. The Irish Local Development Network has three places on the Working Group and it is a matter for that body to select its nominees to fill these positions. It is also the responsibility of the representatives from each sector to consult with their nominating bodies, staff and other relevant stakeholders as part of this process.
As well as the ongoing work of this Group, both I and my Department have had several engagements with representatives of the local development and community and voluntary sectors in relation to alignment and other issues of common interest.
67. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the net amount transferred into the dormant accounts net of repayments to the financial institutions each year since the inception of the fund; the total amount transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20470/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its establishment in April 2003 to the end of March 2013, the transfers to the Fund have totalled some €678.5 million, which includes interest earned of approximately €38.7 million. Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to around €255.4 million. The net value of uncommitted funds is currently €85 million. This does not include a Reserve Fund, currently standing at €56.8 million. The table provides a profile of the Fund showing yearly inflows, reclaims, disbursements, etc, from 2003 to the end of March 2013.
Appendix A - Value of Dormant Accounts Fund at 31/03/2013
|
Year |
Inflows |
Inflows |
Inflows |
Inflows |
Inflows |
Gross Inflow of Funds |
Outflows |
Outflows |
Outflows |
Net Funds |
|
Banks/building societies |
An Post products |
Insurance products |
Intestate Estates |
Interest earned |
Reclaimed by account holders |
Disbursed by NTMA |
Expenses & Compliance Costs |
|||
|
2003 |
105,802,747 |
90,406,394 |
0 |
0 |
2,778,039 |
198,987,180 |
24,002,874 |
0 |
148,048 |
174,836,258 |
|
2004 |
18,387,604 |
14,642,260 |
22,994,803 |
0 |
3,802,846 |
59,827,513 |
21,080,853 |
14,000,000 |
1,055,958 |
198,526,960 |
|
2005 |
13,049,089 |
19,870,684 |
7,895,688 |
0 |
4,061,302 |
44,876,763 |
22,916,079 |
14,400,000 |
1,673,497 |
204,414,147 |
|
2006 |
20,535,464 |
52,513,242 |
7,100,575 |
0 |
6,375,902 |
86,525,183 |
44,736,631 |
33,250,000 |
1,608,356 |
211,344,343 |
|
2007 |
12,531,434 |
42,658,151 |
6,704,210 |
4,400,000 |
8,787,603 |
75,081,398 |
34,082,871 |
45,511,412 |
1,881,135 |
204,950,323 |
|
2008 |
19,644,431 |
6,239,735 |
7,149,521 |
0 |
7,561,873 |
40,595,560 |
19,500,791 |
73,050,705 |
1,999,776 |
150,994,611 |
|
2009 |
25,014,071 |
11,359,722 |
5,010,644 |
0 |
891,120 |
42,275,557 |
19,051,956 |
37,644,335 |
1,717,634 |
134,856,243 |
|
2010 |
20,970,740 |
12,304,426 |
6,009,518 |
0 |
472,958 |
39,757,642 |
20,302,633 |
20,267,035 |
1,618,257 |
132,425,960 |
|
2011 |
27,841,100 |
9,912,279 |
5,326,408 |
0 |
1,137,669 |
44,217,456 |
24,345,430 |
8,403,338 |
937,628 |
142,957,020 |
|
2012 |
25,496,009 |
11,074,307 |
6,783,903 |
0 |
2,004,458 |
45,358,677 |
22,022,290 |
4,159,969 |
803,305 |
161,330,133 |
|
2013 |
171,120 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
808,881 |
980,001 |
3,392,297 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Totals |
289,443,809 |
270,981,200 |
74,975,270 |
4,400,000 |
38,682,651 |
678,482,930 |
255,434,705 |
250,686,794 |
13,443,594 |
€158,917,837 |
|
Liabilities on the Fund: |
||||
|
Of which |
||||
|
1. Reserve for future reclaims by account holders |
-56,838,980 |
|||
|
2. Disbursements allocated to beneficiary projects by |
Approved |
Decommited |
Net Approved |
|
|
(a) Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Board |
63,082,815 |
4,753,521 |
58,404,119 |
|
|
(b) Government (2006) |
75,642,596 |
4,552,415 |
71,090,181 |
|
|
(c) Government (2007) |
22,278,213 |
698,845 |
21,579,368 |
|
|
(d) Government (2008) |
30,134,074 |
83,780 |
30,050,294 |
|
|
(e) Government – Early Childhood Initiative (2006) |
18,000,000 |
18,000,000 |
||
|
(f) Government - Rural Social Scheme (2004-2008) |
64,400,000 |
64,400,000 |
||
|
(g) Government – Catch Up Measure 5 new RAPID towns |
1,250,000 |
1,250,000 |
||
|
(h) Government – Allocation to support labour activation in local authorities |
2,835,000 |
2,835,000 |
||
|
Sub-totals |
277,622,698 |
-10,088,561 |
267,608,962 |
|
|
3. Remaining funds to be disbursed by NTMA on foot of approvals |
-16,922,168 |
|||
|
Net Value of Dormant Accounts Fund (uncommitted funds) |
€85,156,689 |
Under the Dormant Accounts Act 2001, the NTMA is required to maintain a Reserve Account to meet reclaims from account holders and operational expenses of the agency and the Dormant Accounts Board.
68. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date in addressing the funding of projects under the Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20302/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends to make the full amount of the remaining money for projects under the Leader programme available to the Leader companies for allocation; the reason for the delay in approving this despite his commitment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20460/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 73 together.
Following a thorough examination of project activity under the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) I announced on 24 April 2013, the lifting of the embargo on project approvals.
The completion of this review has facilitated the issuing of RDP contracts for approximately €42 million worth of projects which have been approved by the Board of the Local Development Companies (LDCs) and have all the necessary requirements in place. The LDCs contracted to deliver the Leader elements of the RDP have been allowed two weeks to notify my Department as to whether all of the projects within this €42 million are ready to proceed.
The table outlines the €42 million worth of projects across the various LDCs.
|
LAG |
In Queue |
|
Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd. |
0 |
|
Ballyhoura Development Ltd. |
1,081,206 |
|
Carlow County Development Partnership Ltd |
2,694,842 |
|
Cavan-Monaghan Leader |
179,035 |
|
Cill Dara Ar Aghaidh Teo |
4,017,445 |
|
Clare Local Development Company Ltd. |
1,133,150 |
|
Co Kilkenny Leader Partnership |
€2,864,576 |
|
Co Wicklow Community Partnership |
2,618,770 |
|
Co. Sligo Leader Partnership Company Ltd |
13,098 |
|
Comhar na nOileáin Teoranta |
1,061,530 |
|
Donegal Local Development Company Ltd. |
2,076,465 |
|
Fingal Leader Partnership Co. |
1,691,219 |
|
FORUM Connemara Ltd. |
1,260,492 |
|
Galway Rural Development Company |
432,798 |
|
Inishowen Development Partnership |
0 |
|
IRD Duhallow Ltd. |
308,121 |
|
Laois Community and Enterprise Dev |
496,063 |
|
Leitrim Integrated Development Co Ltd |
1,799,815 |
|
Longford Community Resources Ltd |
4,830 |
|
Louth Leader Partnership |
219,431 |
|
Mayo North East Leader Partnership Co. |
766,174 |
|
Meath Community Rural and Social Dev. |
743,604 |
|
Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta |
334,071 |
|
North East Kerry Leader Partnership Teo |
862,763 |
|
North Tipperary Leader Partnership |
1,846,281 |
|
Offaly Integrated Local Dev Co. Ltd. |
0 |
|
Roscommon Integrated Development Company |
2,322,211 |
|
South and East Cork Area Dev Ltd. |
2,207,587 |
|
South Kerry Development Ltd. |
2,042,164 |
|
South Tipperary Local Development Co Ltd |
1,239,330 |
|
South West Mayo Development Company Ltd |
945,313 |
|
Waterford Leader Partnership Ltd. |
1,151,592 |
|
West Cork Development Partnership Ltd. |
722,795 |
|
West Limerick Resources Ltd |
2,056,933 |
|
Westmeath Community Development Ltd |
547,035 |
|
Wexford Local Development |
382,785 |
|
- |
€42,123,522 |
Once this exercise is complete my Department will then be in a position to establish the remaining balance of funding in the RDP and will notify each LDC of their allocation to the end of the Programme.
69. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate the formula for the way the discretionary fund amounting to 35% of revenues directed to the local government fund will be allocated by his Department; if there will be a specific needs and resources model employed to decide the way that funds will be directed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20300/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Question refers to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department’s contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. Local authorities’ cost and income bases vary significantly from one another and calculating an appropriate distribution of these grants is complex. General purpose grants are structured to bring about equalisation over time; that is a position of balance where the financial needs of local authorities are met by their resources and they are able to provide an appropriate level of service to their customers. In determining these grants a number of factors are taken into account including the overall funding available for this purpose, the estimated cost to each authority of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers, the income each authority should generate from local sources and the necessity to provide each authority with a baseline allocation that supports its financial stability.
Some €640 million in general purpose grants has been allocated to local authorities for 2013. In addition, local authorities will retain some €76 million in pension related deductions in 2013. I am satisfied that the general purpose allocations provided for 2013, together with the income available from other sources, will enable local authorities to provide a reasonable level of services to their customers.
70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that under his Department's guidelines for a house claiming exemption from property tax that it will be sufficient that a structural report by a chartered engineer containing opinion that damage to house is due to pyrite induced heave together with a hardcore test result showing pyrite content above the IS-398 threshold level be provided for exemption from property tax. [20426/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 416 of 30 April 2013 which sets out the position in this matter.
