Written Answers Nos. 467-488
467. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of any carbon credits held by local authorities; the net value of these credits; if he will detail any planned investment using carbon credit funds on projects like retrofitting of local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25336/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any carbon credits held by local authorities. I am aware th at one local authority received a small allocation of EU carbon emission allowances in relation to an installation that fell within the scope of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in the 2008-2012 trading period. Management of its responsibilities under the EU trading scheme, including any surplus allowances it may have from the 2008-2012 trading period, is a matter for the local authority in question and I have no function in the matter.
469. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a decision is likely on a Leader application for a project (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25351/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 35 Local Development Companies contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Departmental operating rules and EU regulations. My Department understands from the Local Development Company charged with the delivery of the LEADER elements of the RDP in the area referred to in the Question, that this project was presented to the Board of the company on 22 May 2013. I understand the Board will be seeking some clarification with regard to eligibility of the project from the Eligibility Review Group (ERG) within my Department; however, the ERG has not yet received this request. In this context it is not possible at present to give a definitive date for a decision on this project.
470. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he plans to amend legislation in order to provide for cases in which recommendations of planning inspectors are overruled by the board of An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25378/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory requirements, in these circumstances, are set out in section 34 (10) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 which requires that a statement ‘shall indicate the main reasons for not accepting the recommendation in the report or reports to grant or refuse permission.’ The Board is not obliged to provide discursive reasoning either for a decision that accepts the inspector’s recommendation or for ancillary reasons on occasions when it disagrees. There is ample legal precedent upholding this position and the Board’s application of the legislation.
471. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedures in place to ensure that no conflict of interest arises for members of An Bord Pleanála in arriving at its decisions on individual planning applications; if he will outline the arrangements in place for each member of An Bord Pleanála to declare his or her interests and where these are published; and the legislation or other controls that are in place where a conflict of interest arises. [25379/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main statutory provisions in this regard are set out in sections 147 to 150 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. These create the overall framework and section 150 , in particular, provides for a Code of Conduct incorporating this framework. Declarations are recorded in accordance with these requirements. The Code of Conduct is available to be viewed on the Board’s website (http://www.pleanala.ie/about/conduct.htm). It should be noted that Board members are also subject to the provisions of the Ethics Acts.
472. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a newspaper article (details supplied) providing clarification in relation to the appointment of new fire officers to Dublin City Fire Brigade; the number of vacancies currently available; the way these vacancies are being advertised; the selection process that is being carried out; and the reason this process is not open to external applicants. [25380/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements in each Council. It is a matter for City and County Managers, in the first instance, to ensure that the moratorium is implemented while the appropriate service levels are maintained.
Where a local authority identifies a critical post that it cannot fill by way of re-organisation or re-assignment it may revert to my Department seeking sanction to fill the post. My Department examines all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. In considering sanction requests public safety, maintaining key front line services and economic considerations are given precedence.
In relation to the specific posts referenced in the question Dublin City Council propose to fill some existing fire-fighter vacancies on a cost neutral basis from within the existing staff cohort of Dublin local authorities. All successful applicants will have to meet the usual standards and selection criteria applied in the recruitment of fire-fighters and will have to complete the necessary training.
I understand that the assessment of staffing need and the proposed recruitment procedures were discussed and agreed with trade unions. Furthermore, the recruitment will facilitate the implementation of savings measures as part of a comprehensive agreement reached between Dublin City Council and unions under the Croke Park agreement. This element of the agreement is expected to produce savings of some €900,000.
A further recruitment process, that will be open to external candidates, is also proposed by Dublin City Council. Under the proposals, successful applicants would be deployed initially as Emergency Services Control Room Operators, and would then progress to become fire-fighters over a period of time subject to satisfying the usual standards and selection criteria.
The necessary sanctions have been granted by my Department and the recruitment is now a matter for Dublin City Council.
473. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons who hold affordable housing mortgages with local authorities are allowed apply to transfer their mortgage to a larger home, if their current home no longer meets their family needs due to overcrowding, or due to them having children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25413/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvisions governing mortgage lending by local authorities are set out under the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009 and associated credit policy. To ensure effective targeting of resources, loan finance continues to be available to first time buyers only. No scheme currently exists which allows for the transfer of a loan to another property. An individual is however free to seek access to finance in the private sector and in this way to fund a change of home.
474. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any decision regarding administration of Leader funding in the former MFG areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25427/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG), the group contracted by my Department to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (the LEADER elements) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in the Gaeltacht areas, went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. Since then my Department has been working with the liquidators and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the winding up process was conducted in an efficient and effective way.
In 2012 a new system was put in place whereby the Local Development Companies (LDCs) situated in the geographically contiguous areas were contracted to deliver RDP funds to the Gaeltacht areas. The liquidation of MFG inevitably caused delays in project payments and approvals. However, the system which my Department put in place is now operational for a number of months and the contracted LDCs continue to facilitate the project payment process for projects in Gaeltacht areas.
The new companies were required to review the MFG ‘legacy projects’ which they received to ensure compliance with the European Regulation and Programme rules, and this has taken some time. The revised arrangements for the Erris area will be finalised over the coming weeks with the Mayo North East Leader Partnership and my Department. The rebalancing of the RDP is now complete and individual Local Development Companies were notified of their final allocations under the Programme on 20 May 2013 . I have ring - fenced €6 million for the former MFG areas and for new projects in these areas. At all times, my Department has directed the LDCs to pay promptly all MFG contractual commitments properly due and has funded the companies in this regard.
475. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of those liable to pay the household charge that have now done so; the number that have paid after the original deadline; and the amount of money that has been collected in penalties, on a local authority basis. [25514/13]
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 24 May 2013 the total number of registrations for the Household Charge is 1,244,489. Payments have been registered in respect of 1,220,576 liable properties and waivers have been registered in respect of a further 23,913 liable properties. The number of estimated liable properties for the Household Charge is 1,620,814, and therefore the compliance rate is in excess of 76.7%
1 January 2012 was the liability date for the Household Charge. Under section 5 of the 2011 Act and associated Regulations, liable owners were required to make payment within 3 months of the liability date, i.e. by 31 March 2012. I am advised by the Agency that, by 31 March 2012, payments were registered in respect of 621,717 liable properties and waivers were registered in respect of a further 12,677 liable properties.
The table below, again based on data provided by the Agency, details the penalties collected in respect of the Household Charge by local authority area, as of 24 May 2013.
|
County/City Council |
Penalties Collected 24 May 2013 - €k |
|
Carlow |
99.5 |
|
Cavan |
108.7 |
|
Clare |
206.4 |
|
Cork City |
178.7 |
|
Cork County |
673.0 |
|
Donegal |
337.2 |
|
Dublin City |
656.3 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
189.2 |
|
Fingal |
382.5 |
|
Galway City |
99.4 |
|
Galway County |
301.1 |
|
Kerry |
228.4 |
|
Kildare |
305.8 |
|
Kilkenny |
131.9 |
|
Laois |
116.9 |
|
Leitrim |
59.5 |
|
Limerick City |
79.1 |
|
Limerick County |
192.9 |
|
Longford |
64.3 |
|
Louth |
161.5 |
|
Mayo |
243.7 |
|
Meath |
260.6 |
|
Monaghan |
79.0 |
|
North Tipperary |
96.6 |
|
Offaly |
118.1 |
|
Roscommon |
124.5 |
|
Sligo |
116.4 |
|
South Dublin |
338.7 |
|
South Tipperary |
115.9 |
|
Waterford City |
75.1 |
|
Waterford County |
98.8 |
|
Westmeath |
111.5 |
|
Wexford |
246.4 |
|
Wicklow |
173.4 |
476. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the time frame for the allocation of contracts for water metering roll-out; the number of contracts involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25531/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated number of subcontractors involved in the roll-out of water metering; the timeframe for their appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25532/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria used for the employment of subcontractors in the roll-out of water metering; if such criteria will be at the discretion of the main companies engaged in the roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25533/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe for the roll-out of metering across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25534/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the issuing of contracts for water metering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25779/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 476 to 479, inclusive, and 490 together.
The 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 metering programme. The Water Services Act 2013 assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme.
The procurement process for the metering programme is underway. The criteria for the procurement process were developed by my Department, in consultation with Bord Gáis Éireann, to ensure that SMEs have an opportunity to compete for contracts. The process will involve the appointment of a number of regional main contractors, with these contracts due to be awarded in June. The main contractors will be invited to select sub-contractors from a pre-qualified panel created by my Department. The closing date for inclusion on this panel has been extended until 30 June 2013 but there are 158 contractors prequalified to date. The appointment of sub-contractors is a matter for the regional main contractor.
The installation of meter boxes and domestic water meters will commence in July 2013 and will be rolled out as quickly as possible thereafter.
480. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views in relation to the recent price increase for dog licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25572/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent increase in the change for a dog licence took effect from 1 January 2012, with the commencement of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010. Dog licence charges are now at €20 for an annual Dog Licence and €140 for a Lifetime of Dog Licence. Prior to 1 January 2012 an annual Dog Licence had been €12.70 since 1998; the increase was in line with the increase in the Consumer Price index and appropriate given the costs of maintaining dog control services.
481. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the implications of circular FIN 03/2009 dated 13 February 2009 entitled Control and Monitoring of Local Authorities Contribution to the General Government Balance for all local authorities in County Kildare; the way this will affect the authorities in the aftermath of the proposed abolition of town councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25605/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2009, my Department set out details of the financial requirements for local authorities relating to their overall management of capital and current accounts. These requirements flow directly from the requirement for Government finances as a whole to be managed in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact established under the Maastricht Treaty, and the associated limitation on budget deficits. The local government sector must not impact negatively on the General Government Balance (GGB) in any one year.
The downturn in the economy and substantial pressures on Government funding generally require a sharp focus in all sectors, including local government , to ensure effective control and management of public finances. In order to stay within the overall GGB limit, it is necessary for local authorities to maintain both their current and capital accounts broadly in balance. The only restriction on local authorities is that, in aggregate, capital income equals capital expenditure in the year. Balance is only required at an overall level and this allows considerable scope for authorities to draw on their existing capital reserves as an element of their overall investment programme. The precise manner in which capital and current accounts are managed in order to achieve the overall balance necessary is a matter for individual local authorities.
The 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. While the Action Programme will have no impact on the requirements I have set out for the management of the GGB, I would expect that cost savings will arise from sub-county restructuring through operational integration and elimination of duplication. It is a matter for every 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 within the GGB limits as set out.
482. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the Housing Act 1966 is out of date (details supplied). [25629/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no tenant purchase scheme currently open for applications under section 90 of the Housing Act 1966.
Parts 3 and 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which underpin incremental purchase schemes in operation for new local authority houses and local authority apartments, respectively, contain similar provisions applying to the resale of a dwelling during the period of a housing authority’s charge on the property (currently 20, 25 or 30 years after sale, depending on the income-related discount granted in the particular case). The housing authority has first option on purchasing the dwelling at a price that takes account of its outstanding charge on the property. Where the authority does not purchase the dwelling it may refuse to consent to a proposed resale to another person where, in the authority’s opinion:
(a) the proposed sale price is less than the current market value,
(b) the intended purchaser is or was engaged in antisocial behaviour or the intended sale of the dwelling would not be in the interest of good estate management, or
(c) the intended sale would, if completed, leave the seller or any person who might reasonably be expected to reside with him or her without adequate housing.
Where an incremental purchaser sells the dwelling to a person other than the housing authority, he or she must pay to the authority the value of its outstanding charge on the property.
These measures ensure that the interests of the local community and the housing authority are taken into account in the resale of a local authority dwelling within a reasonable period after sale and I have no proposals to change the law in this area.
483. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date on a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25651/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Donegal (Group B) Wastewater Treatment Plants contract, of which Bundoran is one element, is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 as a contract to start during the lifetime of the Programme. Donegal County Council’s Tender Documents for the contract are under examination in my Department and a decision will be made as soon as possible.
484. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any plans to use part of the Respond complex on Gracepark Road, Dublin, for housing. [25677/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2000 my Department approved a proposal submitted by Dublin City Council for the acquisition, by Respond! Housing Association, of High Park Convent, Grace Park Road, Dublin 9, for the construction of accommodation for elderly and homeless persons. My Department subsequently approved funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) in December 2001, for the refurbishment of the building and to provide 65 units of accommodation. Funding of some €12.8 million was provided under the CAS for this project, which was largely completed in 2002.
My Department understands that Respond! Housing Association now propose to undertake the conversion of the existing 65 bedsit units into one bedroomed apartments for older persons. Respond! has commenced the tender process and it is expected that construction will commence in September 2013, with completion and occupation of the units in spring 2014. There are no proposals with my Department for the further development of this site.
485. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that in 2008 Sligo County Council sought approval from his Department to the raising of a loan of €6.4 million for a new Sligo museum and an extension to the Model Arts and Niland Gallery, that the total capital cost of the new museum and extension to the Model and Niland Gallery was an estimated €23.5 million, if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the balance of the capital funding was to be provided by way of a contribution of €2 million from the Model Niland Gallery, a grant of €4.6 million from the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism ACCESS I and II and Government grants of €10.5 million from the Gateway Innovation Fund and ACCESS III; if the loan was approved by his Department conditional on the balance of the funding being made available from the other sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25683/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the replies to Question Nos. 167 and 779 of 7 March 2013 and 16 April 2013 respectively, which addressed the position in this matter.
486. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that his Department, in a letter to the Sligo County Manager dated 2 November 2012, expressed concern at the accumulating deficit on the councils revenue account and stated that he would be willing to provide approval for the conversion of the council’s then existing overdraft of €7.5 million to a term loan, and further stated that such a loan would reduce the council’s banking costs and provide an opportunity for the council to reduce its overall debt levels, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that having converted the €7.5 million overdraft to a term loan, the county manager at a council meeting on 4 March 2013 sought approval for a new overdraft of €8.5 million; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council’s revenue deficit increased by a further €2.45 million in 2012; if he is of the view that the ongoing conversion of Sligo County Council overdrafts to term loans is sustainable; if he intends to approve the proposed new overdraft of €8.5 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25684/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the replies to Question Nos. 161 and 162 of 21 November 2012 in which I indicated that sanction was conveyed to Sligo County Council on 8 November 2012, in accordance with Section 106 of the Local Government Act 2001, for the borrowing of €7.5 million by way of a term loan. The Council’s overdraft borrowing limit was revised to €4 million in conjunction with this sanction.
It is necessary that local authorities have recourse to overdraft from time to time as capital spending is funded in arrears and the timing of local authority income such as commercial rates, charges, and rents will not always match expenditure. In line with normal Departmental procedures, I conveyed sanction on 25 March 2013 to Sligo County Council to borrow, by way of a temporary overdraft, a sum not exceeding €8.5 million. It remains a requirement for Sligo County Council to continue to deal with its finances in a prudent manner.
487. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the names of members of the local authority national partnership advisory group from 2002 to 2008; and the agencies they represented. [25686/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra488. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the board or organisation that acted for and currently acts as the host agency for the local authority national partnership advisory group; the reason information on LANPAG is not generally available or available on the worldwide web; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25687/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
The names of the persons that participated on the Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group (LANPAG) in the period 2002 to 2008, together with the body each represented, is outlined in the table below. The maximum number of participants at any one time is eighteen (nine management representatives and nine union representatives).
Management
|
Names |
- |
Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group - (LANPAG) |
|
Chris |
Gavigan |
Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB), Joint Chairperson |
|
Paul |
Dunne |
LGMSB |
|
Declan |
Naughton |
LGMSB |
|
Norah |
Mason |
LGMSB |
|
Aoife |
Hanly |
LGMSB |
|
Frank |
Kelly |
Dublin City Council |
|
Jim |
Lillis |
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) |
|
Aidan |
Kinch |
DECLG |
|
Martha |
Doyle |
DECLG |
|
Bernadette |
Kinsella |
Offaly County Council |
|
Ned |
O'Connor |
South Tipperary County Manager |
|
Ned |
Gleeson |
Limerick County Manager |
|
Donal |
Connolly |
Waterford County Manager |
|
Michael |
McLoone |
Donegal County Manger |
|
Terry |
O'Niadh |
North Tipperary County Manager |
Union
|
Names |
- |
Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group - (LANPAG) |
|
Matt |
Merrigan |
Services Industrial Professional Trade Union (SIPTU), Joint Chairperson |
|
Brian |
Byrd |
SIPTU |
|
Denis |
Curtin |
SIPTU |
|
Al |
Butler |
Irish Municipal Public Civil Trade union (IMPACT) |
|
Peter |
Nolan |
IMPACT |
|
Shay |
Clinton |
IMPACT |
|
Michael |
McCabe |
IMPACT |
|
Alice |
Hennessy |
IMPACT |
|
Michael |
McGinty |
IMPACT |
|
Tom |
Murray |
IMPACT |
|
Finbarr |
Maguire |
Craft Group of Unions |
|
Paddy |
Coughlan |
Craft Group of Unions |
|
Joe |
Byrne |
Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) |
|
Tony |
Mansfield |
Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) |
LANPAG was initially supported in its activities by the Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB). The Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB) and the Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB) have been merged as the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and it has assumed the LANPAG support role. Documents in respect of LANPAG can be accessed on the LGMA website: www.lgma.ie.
