Written Answers Nos. 419 - 441
419. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered replacing the annual car taxation with an additional levy on fuel; if he has reports or figures available to evaluate the levy imposed on fuel to make up the shortfall if the annual car tax was abolished; the advantages and disadvantage he would envisage arising out of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22317/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in relation to any levy, such as excise duty, placed on motor fuels, as this is a matter for the Minister for Finance. Motor tax receipts for 2012 were in excess of €1bn. It is estimated that, in order to raise a similar amount from motor fuels, an increase in excise for a litre of petrol and auto diesel in the order of 28-30 cent, inclusive of Value Added Tax, would be required.
I have no plans currently to seek to replace the current system of motor tax with additional taxation on motor fuel. In developing any such proposal, I would be conscious that such a move may be simpler to administer; would create a more direct relationship between use of the vehicle and the costs, with potential environmental benefits; and free up staff in licensing authorities, the Courts Service and time spent on enforcement by An Garda Síochána. I have not quantified these benefits in monetary or other terms, and nor have I quantified the potential disadvantages, which include the impact on inflation and economic competitiveness; the higher costs under a pay-as-you-drive system on goods vehicles and other high usage and high mileage vehicles, such as public service vehicles and buses; the other distributional effects, including on those with longer distances to commute; the extent to which this would impact on cross-Border fuel purchasing, further depressing the tax base and requiring a compensatory adjustment, either in further increases in fuel prices or elsewhere in the tax system, to make up the shortfall; the potential forward extent of increased fuel laundering; and the costs and modalities for maintaining a robust and accurate National Vehicle and Driver File to ensure compliance with roadworthiness testing, insurance certification and other traffic controls such as penalty points and fixed charge offences.
420. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to seek a derogation or a variation from the Nitrates Directive to allow slurry spreading dates based on suitable weather rather than fixed dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22536/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSet closed periods for the spreading of fertilisers, including slurry, is a requirement of the Nitrates Directive and is mandatory in every Member State. The purpose of closed periods is to protect ground and surface water bodies, including drinking water sources, by prohibiting the application of fertilisers when such application poses an unacceptable risk to water courses. Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution to water.
The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission at the time. They extend from 15 October to 12, 15 or 31 January depending on location in the country. The Nitrates Directive is given effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010, commonly known as the Nitrates Regulations. In accordance with the Nitrates Directive, the Nitrates Action Programme falls due for review this year. A comprehensive public consultation process has been initiated and will close on 12 June 2013. All submissions received on foot of this consultation will be given full consideration by me and my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
421. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on An Taisce's legal challenge to a nuclear plant being built on the Bristol Channel in the UK; if his Department has had any consultation with the UK Government in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22813/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile not having a nuclear power industry, it is Ireland’s position that, where a State chooses to develop a nuclear power industry, this should be done in accordance with the highest international standards with respect to safety and environmental protection. Ireland’s priority is the safety of the Irish people and the protection of our environment, including the shared marine environment of the Irish Sea.
The UK published its draft Energy National Policy Statement in November 2009, which signalled its intention to construct ten new nuclear power stations at sites judged as potentially suitable. This was subsequently revised in October 2010 when the number of planned stations was reduced to eight, following the dropping of two sites originally proposed for Cumbria, near the existing Sellafield facility. Since the original announcement in 2009, Ireland has written twice at ministerial level to the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change outlining concerns about potential environmental impacts in Ireland and in the Irish Sea. The key issues of concern include the assessments by the UK of effects on the environment, management of radioactive waste, and the rationale underpinning the proposed justification decision for new nuclear facilities. This engagement at ministerial level has been supported and informed by a continuing dialogue at official level where Irish officials engage, and raise concerns where appropriate, with UK counterparts directly engaged in the development and implementation of the plans.
I note the legal proceedings being brought by An Taisce in relation to Hinkley Point and I respect the rights of An Taisce, as an independent body, to take such a course of action. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), in accordance with its statutory advisory role to the Government, was requested by my Department to complete an assessment of the potential radiological impacts on Ireland from the programme of new nuclear power plants in the UK, including the plant at Hinkley Point. This assessment will consider both routine operations and a range of postulated accident scenarios at the plants. I understand that the Report will be completed imminently, and will be made publicly available. I am advised that the RPII will then provide briefings for interested parties. I will consider the position having read the RPII report.
Finally, under the EURATOM Treaty the UK was required to satisfy the European Commission that the development at Hinkley Point would not be likely to result in radioactive contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State. In that context, a Commission opinion, issued in February 2012, considered that under normal operating conditions, the discharges of liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents are not likely to cause an exposure of the population in another Member State that is significant from the point of view of health.
422. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the major collective effect of the cuts to housing adaption grant for children and adults with a disability; and if he will reverse these cuts. [22823/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe difficulties facing the State’s finances and the necessity to reduce public expenditure to sustainable levels are impacting on capital programmes all across the public service, including my Department’s housing capital programme. The level of capital funding available has decreased significantly in recent years along the lines highlighted in the Medium Term Exchequer Framework for Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016. As a result, capital spending on housing programmes is subject to constraint over the short-term.
On 22 February 2013, I announced capital allocations to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability amounting to €42.750 million. In allocating the available funding across all 34 city and county councils I did so in as transparent and as fair a way as possible. In framing the 2013 allocations, my Department wrote to each local authority requesting details of the numbers and value of grants where work had been approved to commence. Between them, local authorities reported contractual commitments in respect of approved grants totalling €18 million. This year I allocated local authorities the full amount of their contractual commitments. The balance of the available funding was allocated on the basis of each authority’s share of the new applications on hand in January 2013.
In order to deal with any acute or particular difficulty which might arise in the operation of the schemes over the course of the year I have set aside a small capital reserve. I recently approved supplementary allocations totalling €1.2 million for 13 local authorities. I will consider further applications from local authorities where similar difficulties arise.
423. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the success of the employment services delivered through the local and community development programme; the number of beneficiaries in 2012; and the projected number for 2013. [23059/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the ‘harder to reach’ in the most disadvantaged areas and communities. Given the current economic situation and the high level of unemployment, the LCDP is more relevant than ever insofar as it creates employment opportunities and gives those most distant from the labour market the skills to access training and jobs. The Programme has four high level goals focusing on supporting activities that enhance access to services, provides education and lifelong learning supports for individuals, employment supports for individuals and supports for community development activities.
Goal 3 of the LCDP is the primary goal that delivers employment services. Approximately 40% of the LCDP budget is allocated to the goal, and under it, a range of services are delivered and supported. These are diverse and range from employment mediation supports, programmes to reduce youth unemployment, actions designed to engage with employers to promote local job opportunities, labour market focused education and training supports, supports for social enterprise, and the delivery of services for individuals who are seeking to set up their own business.
The Programme is delivered at a local level by the national network of local development companies (LDCs). Pobal, who manage the day to day operation of the LCDP, have advised that the assessment of the 2013 LCDP Plans of the LDCs is on-going. However, it is anticipated that outputs and outcomes for the LCDP in 2013 will be broadly similar to those achieved in 2012. The total caseload for the programme in 2012 was 47,792 individuals. The system utilised by Pobal to record performance information of LDCs in delivering the LCDP provided the following output statistics:
|
Employment services related indicator |
Number of people recorded as benefiting |
|
Individuals who were recorded as receiving Goal 3 supports |
32,923 |
|
Individuals supported to access employment |
1,370 |
|
Individuals supported to access self-employment |
5,684 |
|
Individuals supported to access work experience |
289 |
|
Individuals engaged in labour market related education and training initiatives: |
- |
|
100% funded by others but with LCDP collaboration |
3,234 (1,357 accredited & 1,877 unaccredited) |
|
100% funded by LCDP |
8,796 (1,941 accredited and 6,855 unaccredited) |
|
Partly funded by LCDP |
3,201 (1,372 accredited and 1,829 unaccredited) |
424. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a limit on the distance allowed between a petrol station and a school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22148/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no limit specified in planning legislation in relation to the distance between a petrol station and a school.
425. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in a situation where residential estates currently pay for the maintenance of their green areas, if the respective local authority will now undertake this task in view of the additional revenue gained through the collection of the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22157/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he intends to distribute the remaining 20% of the revenue received from the local property tax in view of the concerns of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22401/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 425 and 434 together.
Under section 157 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014, the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year. Questions concerning the use of Local Property Tax revenue raised in 2013 should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
The Government has indicated an intention to move, from 2014, to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the Tax is raised. The remaining 20% of the Tax collected nationally will be re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.
I expect the Local Property Tax to have multiple benefits, including a more sustainable and resilient system of funding for local authorities and therefore a sounder financial footing for the provision of essential local services; greater local scope for financial decision making concerning service provision - in particular, the inclusion of the local variation mechanism from 2015 will further increase the autonomy of local authorities; and a strengthening of democracy at local level with a more active relationship between local authorities and local electorates. A stronger democratic relationship and clearer lines of accountability can only have a beneficial impact on service provision from the perspective of the service user. Specific queries concerning planned usage of future Local Property Tax revenue should be directed to the relevant local authority.
426. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who made representations to a local authority for assistance and funding has a right to have copies of the documentation on the decision process within the local authority provided to them; if the local authority refuses to provide the information, if the person has any other avenue open to them to obtain the information that was collated in respect of their representation. [22161/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has issued guidelines to local authorities for dealing with customer complaints. A copy of these guidelines can be downloaded from www.environ.ie. Local authorities generally have put in place a multiple stage procedure for dealing with customer complaints, including the case of a refusal to release records. The first stage generally is to discuss the complaint at the point of service, as this is usually the quickest and most efficient way to address the matter. If a complainant is unhappy with the outcome of the first stage a formal complaint can be made to the Authority’s Customer Services Officer. If the matter is not resolved following this engagement with the local authority, it is open to the complainant to request copies of records under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 – 2003, or where appropriate under the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2011, to bring the matter to the attention of the Office of the Ombudsman or the Office of the Information Commissioner or the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information, as appropriate.
427. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to his proposed break-up of the local development companies under the realignment programme, if any consultations took place with the development companies themselves, with the Directors or with the community based voluntary organisations throughout the country who have benefited enormously from their administration of the EU programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22203/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to break up local development companies under the alignment process. The reforms set out in Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government are designed to secure greater collaboration across the breath of publicly-funded local development activity. This includes increased co-operation between local government and local development companies, in the interests of better targeting of resources, more sustainable administrative costs and more effective services.
In their report, the recommendations of which are incorporated in the Action Programme, the Alignment Steering Group recognised the key strengths of local development companies in areas such as service planning and delivery. A continued role for local development companies and other local entities is envisaged in the implementation of the various programmes. In terms of consultations, the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group met with and considered submissions from many local development companies and from other stakeholder groups. Since then, both I and my Department have met with a number of delegations on behalf of local development companies. This has included both chief executive officers and directors of these companies. My Department engages with representatives of the community and voluntary sector on an on-going basis. The Irish Local Development Network is also a key participant in an Alignment Working Group that is assisting and advising on the implementation of the recommendations of the Alignment Steering Group. I met this group on two occasions in recent months.
428. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding to Kerry County Council for group sewerage schemes in the county in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22222/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012 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. Following an examination of the proposals received, with particular regard to the environmental justification provided, I approved grant assistance last March towards the following pilot schemes:
|
County |
Scheme Name |
Approved Grant |
|
Clare |
Woodview, Ennis |
€90,000 |
|
Kildare |
Boston Cottages |
€60,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
Toortane |
€105,000 |
|
Laois |
Derrymoyle |
€35,301 |
|
Leitrim |
Jamestown Rue |
€93,000 |
|
Offaly |
Military Road, Birr |
€39,000 |
|
Westmeath |
Ballykeeran Big |
€84,500 |
|
Wexford |
Coolbawn / Ferns |
€14,083 |
|
TOTALS |
€520,884 |
Proposals for six group sewerage schemes were included in Kerry County Council’s request for funding under the Rural Water Programme. However, the proposals did not merit inclusion in the pilot programme on the basis of the environmental justification provided by the Council. Progress on the selected pilot schemes will be reviewed in due course with a view to deciding how best to proceed with the grant scheme.
429. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Wexford County Council has suspended grants for the housing aid for older people grant scheme; the reason for same; if it is a funding issue are there further funds available from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22244/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22 February 2013, I announced capital allocations to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability amounting to €42.750 million. In allocating the available funding across all 34 city and county councils I did so in as transparent and as fair a way as possible. In framing the 2013 allocations, my Department wrote to each local authority requesting details of the numbers and value of grants where work had been approved to commence. Between them, local authorities reported contractual commitments in respect of approved grants totally €18 million. This year I allocated local authorities the full amount of their contractual commitments which, in the case of Wexford County Council, amounted to €43,480. The balance of the available funding was allocated on the basis of each authority’s share of the new applications on hand in January 2013. This brought Wexford County Council’s overall allocation to €1,210,764.
In order to deal with any acute or particular difficulty which might arise in the operation of the schemes over the course of the year I have set aside a small capital reserve. I recently approved supplementary allocations totalling €1.2 million for 13 local authorities. I will consider further applications from local authorities where similar difficulties have arisen. No such application has so far been received from Wexford County Council.
430. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the AMAI Policy Document on Municipal District Councils; if he will give further consideration to the request of this Association to retain town councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22251/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First, sets out Government decisions for a range of local government reform measures including the decision to replace town councils with a new comprehensive model of municipal governance to strengthen local government within counties and address weaknesses and anomalies in the current system. The AMAI Policy Document on Municipal District Councils, issued in response to the Action Programme, is useful in providing an understanding of the perspective of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland (AMAI). However, it would be more appropriate and useful for the AMAI to develop sectoral positions and a joint response together with the Association of County & City Councils (ACCC) on matters in relation to the implementation of the Government’s Action Programme, as county councillors will have responsibility, from mid-2014 onwards, for the direction of their local authorities both at County Council and Municipal District levels. In the transition to the system where each county councillor will also be a councillor in respect of a Municipal District, there is a need for a close working relationship between the two Associations at this time.
The role that councillors can play in shaping structures and providing input into the implementation of the Government’s Action Programme is very important. I have accordingly established a Working Group for Engagement with Local Authority Representative Associations to provide a direct conduit for input and involvement by both the AMAI and the ACCC in the reform implementation process. Discussions have taken place with the two associations on several of the issues addressed in the AMAI response to the Action Programme, and these discussions will continue.
431. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will use his power under section 21 (16) of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 to remove the Director General of the EPA from her position following her public comments that the EPA will not be racing to prosecute business for not complying with environmental licences and regulations. [22298/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 507 of 29 January 2013, which sets out the position in this matter.
432. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Westmeath County Council will be involved in pilot projects to support persons with disabilities moving from institutional care to community based living during 2013; if she will outline the way the sourcing and delivery of units will be managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22346/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011–2016 provides for Government policy in relation to the deinstitutionalisation of people with physical, intellectual and mental health disabilities. The Strategy forms part of a coherent framework, in conjunction with the Government’s mental health policy, A Vision for Change and the Report of the HSE Working Group on Congregated Settings, to support people with disabilities within communities with maximum independence and choice. Ring-fenced funding of €1 million is being made available within my Department to support the commencement of the transitioning process and will provide up to 150 new homes in the community for people with disabilities in 2013. The sourcing and delivery of the units, which will be through leasing arrangements, is being managed by the Housing Agency.
To ensure the most effective use of the funding available, a small number of pilot projects are being progressed in 2013 by Cork City Council, Louth County Council, the Limerick Authorities and Dublin City Council. Part of the ring-fenced funding is also available to support deinstitutionalisation projects outside of these pilot areas. The Housing Agency is liaising directly with local authorities, local disability service providers and approved housing bodies to advance projects where people with disabilities are identified as ready to transition to the community in 2013 in line with their person centred plans.
433. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person in a Gaeltacht Údarás catchment area will be permitted to apply for Leader funding from a development partnership. [22350/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the purposes of implementing the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) and in the context of the Irish National Spatial Strategy, rural areas are defined as all parts of Ireland outside:
- The City Council boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick;
- The Borough Council boundaries of Kilkenny, Sligo and Wexford;
- The Town Council boundaries of Athlone, Ballina, Castlebar, Cavan, Dundalk, Ennis, Killarney, Letterkenny, Mallow, Monaghan, Mullingar, Tralee, Tuam and Tullamore.
Outside of these areas any individual or community group resident in rural Ireland can apply for funding under the Axis 3&4 (LEADER) elements of the RDP and this includes all Gaeltacht areas outside of the towns and cities listed above.
With regard to the area referred to in the Question, the Local Development Company (LDC) dealing with this area is North Kerry LEADER Partnership and anyone seeking information on RDP funding should contact them. The contact details for all 35 LDCs contracted to deliver the RDP can be found on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie. With regard to the Gaeltacht area of North Mayo, my Department is working to determine a delivery mechanism to ensure full coverage for all the Gaeltacht areas, including North Mayo, that is practical and complies with both national and EU regulations. I am confident that this process is nearing completion.
435. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on Priory Hall; and the reason he is not backing residents on Dublin City Council failings. [22406/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am supportive of the Priory Hall residents and my Department is supporting the efforts of Dublin City Council in that regard. The Department has previously assisted the Council, in consultation with NAMA, in securing alternative temporary accommodation for many of the residents.
My Department has to date contributed in excess of €670,000 towards the costs necessarily incurred by Dublin City Council, in the context of a judgment of the High Court, in providing temporary accommodation for households evacuated from Priory Hall. The resolution process in respect of the problems associated with this development, which I understand is on-going, arose in the context of legal proceedings which were adjourned to afford relevant parties the opportunity to work together, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Finnegan (retired President of the High Court), to identify a way forward in relation to the complex problems at Priory Hall. Given that the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further other than to continue to urge all concerned to afford Mr. Justice Finnegan the opportunity to complete the task which he is undertaking.
Dublin City Council is the designated authority with powers to enforce the statutory requirements arising under the Fire Safety Act, the Building Control Acts and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which are at issue in relation to Priory Hall. The Council is also the designated Housing Authority under the Housing Acts. Neither I nor my Department has a direct role or responsibility in relation to the exercise of these statutory responsibilities. I am aware of the significant efforts that have been made by the Council, with the assistance of my Department, to provide for the needs of residents to date and I understand that the Council will continue to work proactively on behalf of the residents towards achieving the much needed resolution of the issues at Priory Hall.
436. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the benefits, if any, available to first time buyers from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22440/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Government’s housing policy statement acknowledges that home ownership is the preferred tenure option for the majority of households it also recognises that there are other households who either do not want or may not ever be in a position to own their home. Housing policy is therefore predicated on meeting need at a point in time based on household circumstances and not on favouring one tenure option over another through fiscal or other stimuli. The Government is committed to supporting access to home ownership for lower to middle income households and the current range of paths to home ownership will remain in place in that regard. Two types of house purchase loan are available from local authorities: standard annuity loans targeted at lower income first time buyers and those under the Home Choice Loan scheme which are available to qualifying middle income first time buyers affected by the “credit crunch”. The terms and conditions governing the operation, including eligibility terms, of annuity mortgages and the Home Choice Loan are set out under the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009 and the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009 respectively. These are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.
437. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to update recycling regulations in order that the recycling of rubber, including car tyres would fall under a similar scheme that came about as a result of the WEEE directive 2002/96/EC; the way heintends to go about introducing such a scheme; if he will outline any possible timeframe for such a scheme being introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22470/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2012, I initiated a wide ranging review of the existing Producer Responsibility Initiatives in Ireland. The overall purpose of this review is to assess the nature and level of the challenges which are currently facing the existing Producer Responsibility Agreements as well as the forthcoming challenges that are expected to arise in the management of various waste streams. I anticipate that the findings and recommendations from the review will form the basis for the development of robust producer responsibility initiatives that will enable Ireland to operate successfully in meeting our domestic and EU environmental obligations in the medium to long term.
In relation to tyres, the consultants undertaking the review were asked to carry out a fundamental examination of all aspects of the current system and make recommendations which are designed urgently to improve its operation and ensure that waste tyres are managed according to best environmental practice. Recommendations on how to manage the movement of tyres and waste tyres across the border to/from Northern Ireland in order to ensure that waste is properly managed and that data are accurately recorded were also requested. Any recommendations for future changes in this area, including consideration of the establishment of a system of arrangements in accordance with international best practice, will need to be supported by details setting out the necessary regulatory regime, operational requirements, self-compliance issues, information and awareness requirements and other relevant issues. The recommendations should also take account of the recently published North/South study on Waste Tyres.
I expect to receive the report from the consultants shortly and once I have considered its recommendations, my Department will make it available for consultation. The recommendations from the various report chapters will be considered and implemented in order of priority, with due regard to the implementation of Ireland's broader waste policy – A Resource Opportunity – Waste Management Policy in Ireland - and the increasingly challenging EU requirements in a number of areas such as end-of-life vehicles, packaging, waste electrical and electronic equipment and battery reuse, recovery and recycling.
438. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the length of time it is currently taking An Bord Pleanála to hear appeals; the measures he has taken to alleviate this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22516/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine appeals and referrals within 18 weeks. The compliance rate with the statutory objective time period for normal planning appeals stood at 55% as of April 2013 and the average time taken was 21.8 weeks. To take account of the backlog of cases that had built up in the Board, I appointed 2 additional temporary Board Members for a 12 month period. This is already beginning to impact on the throughput of cases with the number of cases disposed of in April up by 113% over the same month in 2012.
439. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of the newly announced Planning Regulator; if there will be a clear and transparent method of appointment; if he intends to publicly advertise for the position to be appointed by him; the salary the position will command; the term length of the appointment; the frequency with which a person may be re-appointed to the position; if he envisages any further delay in An Bord Pleanála applications as a result of a secondment of staff to support the new Planning Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the recommendation contained in the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal, the Government approved proposals for the preparation of a new Planning and Development Bill at its meeting on 7 May 2013 to establish a new Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). The primary function of the OPR, which will be established as an independent corporate identity, will be to carry out independent appraisal of regional and local level statutory plans prepared and adopted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, namely, development plans, local area plans, regional planning guidelines etc. The OPR will also be mandated to carry out the research, training and education roles identified by the Mahon Tribunal. The Planning Regulator will advise the Minister on the content of the plans and where appropriate provide advice that all or part of a plan should be amended or rejected (through a Ministerial Direction) and the advice of the OPR will be published. The OPR will also have investigative powers to examine, inter alia , possible systemic failings in the planning system, again taking account of the recommendation of the Mahon Tribunal in this regard.
While it is envisaged that the OPR would be staffed and resourced, in so far as possible, by staff taken on secondment or on a permanent basis from An Bord Pleanála, it will remain a priority for the Bord to fulfil its statutory functions. On foot of the Government approved proposals, my Department will now prepare a General Scheme of a new Planning and Development Bill giving consideration to the detailed issues to be addressed including those raised in the question.
440. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to derelict buildings (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22661/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetailed information regarding individual properties listed on the Derelict Sites Registers of specific local authorities is not available in my Department. Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are required to maintain a derelict sites register, which includes the name and address of each owner and occupier, where these can be ascertained by reasonable inquiry, of any land which, in the opinion of the local authority, is a derelict site. The register is kept at the offices of the local authority and is available for inspection at those offices during office hours.
441. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households broken down by local authority area that have currently registered for the household charge; the total number of households broken down by local authority area targeted by the Local Government Management Authority for registration for the household charge; if he will provide a breakdown of figures of those households that have registered for the household tax between those that are the registrations of single home owners and those that form part of multiple registrations by the same owner. [22663/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. It is a matter for an owner of a residential property to determine liability and pay the Charge. The Local Government Management Agency is administering the Household Charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I understand from data provided by the Agency that as of 13 May 2013 the number of registrations, including waiver registrations, for the Household Charge is 1,232,918. I understand, again from data provided by the Agency , that as of 13 May 2013 the number of owners that have registered multiple properties for the Household Charge is 123,454. These numbers should not be regarded as definitive, as multiple accounts in relation to separate properties may be created by an owner.
The table details the total number of properties registered for the Household Charge by local authority area, the number of estimated liable properties, and the percentage of the properties registered per estimated number of liable properties.
|
County/City Council |
Total Properties Registered |
Estimated No. of Liable properties |
Properties Registered as a % of Liable Properties |
|
Carlow |
13,931 |
18,257 |
76.30% |
|
Cavan |
19,093 |
25,611 |
74.55% |
|
Clare |
36,850 |
45,786 |
80.48% |
|
Cork City |
31,399 |
41,649 |
75.39% |
|
Cork County |
106,498 |
143,887 |
74.02% |
|
Donegal |
43,006 |
65,331 |
65.83% |
|
Dublin City |
149,485 |
190,685 |
78.39% |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
66,523 |
74,390 |
89.42% |
|
Fingal |
68,820 |
90,286 |
76.22% |
|
Galway City |
22,363 |
27,086 |
82.56% |
|
Galway County |
47,425 |
62,851 |
75.46% |
|
Kerry |
47,148 |
58,792 |
80.19% |
|
Kildare |
51,165 |
68,215 |
75.01% |
|
Kilkenny |
24,006 |
32,067 |
74.86% |
|
Laois |
18,443 |
26,185 |
70.43% |
|
Leitrim |
10,312 |
13,069 |
78.90% |
|
Limerick City |
15,426 |
20,380 |
75.69% |
|
Limerick County |
35,205 |
46,473 |
75.75% |
|
Longford |
10,169 |
12,928 |
78.66% |
|
Louth |
28,262 |
41,176 |
68.64% |
|
Mayo |
42,969 |
51,363 |
83.66% |
|
Meath |
42,925 |
60,652 |
70.77% |
|
Monaghan |
15,131 |
20,176 |
75.00% |
|
North Tipperary |
19,695 |
24,839 |
79.29% |
|
Offaly |
17,627 |
25,224 |
69.88% |
|
Roscommon |
18,996 |
23,888 |
79.52% |
|
Sligo |
20,304 |
25,281 |
80.31% |
|
South Dublin |
58,753 |
81,822 |
71.81% |
|
South Tipperary |
22,900 |
30,368 |
75.41% |
|
Waterford City |
11,754 |
15,753 |
74.61% |
|
Waterford County |
18,276 |
24,777 |
73.76% |
|
Westmeath |
22,453 |
29,872 |
75.16% |
|
Wexford |
40,825 |
56,030 |
72.86% |
|
Wicklow |
34,781 |
45,665 |
76.17% |
|
National |
1,232,918 |
1,620,814 |
76.07% |
