Written Answers Nos. 783-800
783. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a system where income from the collection of recyclables can be raised for local government as there is a similar system in the North of Ireland and if a similar system was implemented, the estimated revenue that could be earned from it. [34841/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra817. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has looked at a system where income from the collection of recyclables can be raised for local government as there is a similar system in the North of Ireland; and, if a similar system was implemented, the estimated revenue that would be earned from same. [35276/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 817 together.
The regulation and enforcement of waste collection are the responsibility of the relevant local authority under sections 33, 34 and 35 of the Waste Management Act 1996. Under section 60(3) of the Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it. The vast majority of local authorities have exited the waste collection market. A Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) published by my Department in July 2012 considered the introduction of franchise bidding by local authorities for household waste collection. This approach has been adopted in other EU Member States, whereby a local authority or group of authorities invite tenders from private operators to bid for the exclusive right to collect waste or certain streams of waste within their functional area. The RIA identified a number of risks associated with such an approach and ultimately made the recommendations to preserve the current market structure of side by side competition and to strengthen the regulation of household waste collection.
I published A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland in July 2012. The publication of the policy, which is available on my Department’s website, confirmed the retention of side by side competition in the household waste collection market and also brought much needed policy certainty to the waste sector, particularly in terms of facilitating planning and investment decisions.
784. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of funds in dormant accounts; the amount being transferred in the past three years; the amount expected to be transferred in 2013; and the way this money will be used. [34843/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra808. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends to resume disbursement of funds from the dormant accounts fund, DAF; if he will provide an update on the current status of money in the account, including the current balance; the amount that was disbursed in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the amount added to the DAF in each of those years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35169/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra818. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount sitting in the dormant accounts fund; the amount that has been transferred in the past three years; the amount expected to be transferred in 2013; and the way this money will be used. [35278/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 784, 808 and 818 together.
Under the Dormant Accounts legislation, balances on dormant accounts with banks, building societies and An Post and the net encashment value of certain life assurance policies are paid into the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF), which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. The primary purpose of the legislation is to reunite the original account holders with their moneys, including all interest due. In addition, the legislation also provides that disbursements from the fund may be made for charitable purposes or for purposes of community benefit.
The gross inflows into the Dormant Accounts Fund for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to end May in 2013 were €39.8 million, €44.2 million, €45.4 million and €43.7 million, respectively. Amounts reclaimed by account holders in the same years are €20.3 million, €24.3 million, €22 million and to end May 2013, €8 million. The amount of funding disbursed from the Dormant Accounts Fund by the National Treasury Management Agency for existing projects was €8.4 million in 2011, €4.16 million in 2012, and to end May in 2013, €37,556. The Net Value of the Dormant Accounts Fund (uncommitted funds) at the end of May 2013 was €128 million. Further details of all inflows, outflows and liabilities on the Fund can be found in tabular form at http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/DormantAccounts/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,26542,en.doc.
I have allocated €6.385 million for Dormant Accounts Measures in 2013, which includes €2.835 million to cover once off costs such as health and safety training, personal protective clothing, and necessary equipment and materials that will be incurred by local authorities providing placements in the Department of Social Protection’s (DSP’s) Local Authority Employment Initiative, with the remainder to be used to meet existing contractual commitments.
The Disbursement Plan of 2009, put in place by the Dormant Accounts Board, will be replaced later this year by a new disbursement scheme in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012. My Department is consulting with relevant Government Departments and other stakeholders as appropriate in relation to drafting the disbursement scheme. The new scheme will be submitted to Government for approval and, in accordance with the 2012 Act, laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The 2012 Amendment also provides for the preparation of an action plan. The plan, which will also be subject to consultation, must indicate the programmes or types of projects that may apply for disbursement and the maximum funds available. Different amounts may be specified in the plan in relation to a particular class or classes of programme or project. Once the plan is adopted, a copy must also be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
785. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of implementing a gender quota of 40% on the new social economic committees. [34845/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra819. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of implementing a gender quota of 40% on the new socioeconomic committees. [35280/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 785 and 819 together.
The operating guidelines for "front-runner" Socioeconomic Committees reflect the Government’s commitment on gender equality and require Socioeconomic Committees to aim for a minimum membership of 40 % men and 40% women. I foresee no specific cost in implementing the gender quota.
786. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total revenue obtained from commercial water rates from 2010-2012. [34848/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra787. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of uncollected commercial water rates from 2010-2012. [34849/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra820. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total revenue obtained from Commerical water rates from 2010 to 2012. [35283/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra821. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of uncollected commercial water rates from 2010 and 2012. [35284/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 786, 787, 820 and 821 together.
The year 2011 is the latest for which audited local authority Annual Financial Statement data are available. The information requested, sourced from Appendix 7 of the audited Annual Financial Statements, is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Accrued Income |
Write Offs/Waivers |
|
2010 |
€201,302,446 |
€16,346,048 |
|
2011 |
€195,560,330 |
€21,444,381 |
788. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the value of brownfield sites in the State; and if he will provide details of same. [34850/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra822. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the value of brownfield sites; and if he will give details of same. [35285/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 788 and 822 together.
The information sought is not held by my Department.
789. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of devolving planning powers back to councillors. [34852/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra823. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of devolving planning powers back to councillors. [35287/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 789 and 823 together.
Elected members have significant powers already available to them under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, particularly in relation to the forward planning function. Related costs fall to be met by the relevant planning authorities in the normal way. There are currently no legislative proposals which would alter these arrangements.
790. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of local Government funding for each of the years 2008 to 2012 inclusive. [34854/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra824. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of local government funding for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [35289/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 790 and 824 together.
The year 2011 is the latest for which audited local authority Annual Financial Statement data are available. The information requested, sourced from audited Annual Financial Statements, is set out in the following table.
|
- |
2008 - € |
2009 - € |
2010 - € |
2011 - € |
|
Commercial Rates |
1,358,374,584 |
1,408,720,936 |
1,430,177,414 |
1,449,665,579 |
|
Goods & Services |
1,444,510,425 |
1,344,687,140 |
1,261,251,121 |
1,233,121,178 |
|
General Purpose Grant |
1,000,329,864 |
836,579,777 |
760,816,780 |
704,934,748 |
|
Grants & Subsidies |
4,916,500,494 |
4,088,983,845 |
3,281,721,175 |
2,706,229,226 |
|
Pension Related Deduction |
0 |
72,722,668 |
86,114,618 |
84,011,819 |
|
Non-mortgage loans |
606,154,614 |
496,602,532 |
308,772,443 |
577,927,101 |
|
Other income |
1,503,107,529 |
699,938,711 |
523,081,414 |
406,754,540 |
|
Total Income |
10,828,977,510 |
8,948,235,609 |
7,651,934,964 |
7,162,644,191 |
791. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide a breakdown of local government spending for each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive. [34855/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra825. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of local government spending for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 [35290/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 791 and 825 together.
The year 2011 is the latest for which audited local authority Annual Financial Statement data are available. The information requested, sourced from audited Annual Financial Statements, is set out in the following table.
|
- |
2008 - € |
2009 - € |
2010 - € |
2011 - € |
|
Housing & Building |
3,227,294,861 |
2,248,671,518 |
1,677,453,663 |
1,459,251,041 |
|
Road Transportation & Safety |
3,007,414,665 |
2,368,108,378 |
2,014,299,911 |
1,574,850,033 |
|
Water Services |
1,672,257,900 |
1,384,305,320 |
1,235,213,431 |
1,181,785,682 |
|
Development Management |
801,170,946 |
525,698,887 |
495,140,005 |
456,060,839 |
|
Environmental Services |
1,043,231,789 |
887,672,367 |
849,546,981 |
841,400,193 |
|
Recreation & Amenity |
729,292,130 |
560,814,177 |
491,446,396 |
464,827,317 |
|
Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare |
352,301,352 |
409,255,853 |
447,407,274 |
381,226,063 |
|
Miscellaneous Services |
538,394,531 |
499,696,773 |
615,892,197 |
629,573,981 |
|
TOTAL |
11,371,358,174 |
8,884,223,271 |
7,826,399,857 |
6,988,975,150 |
792. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding collected in each county through motor tax in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the amount redistributed to each county for road improvement works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34922/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncome from motor tax in each county and through motor tax online is set out in the following table for the period from 2008 to 30 June 2013. Some 34% of the income from motor tax is allocated to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The distribution of that income to each county for road improvements is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Gross Motor Tax Receipts by Licensing Authority 2008 – 30 June 2013
|
Licensing Authority |
2008 - € |
2009 - € |
2010 - € |
2011 - € |
2012 - € |
2013 (to 30 June) - €
|
|
Carlow |
11,466,519 |
10,934,896 |
10,083,670 |
9,584,134 |
9,321,370 |
4,990,935 |
|
Cavan |
12,211,054 |
11,645,970 |
10,649,902 |
10,170,516 |
9,786,016 |
5,033,418 |
|
Clare |
20,940,921 |
19,848,442 |
18,669,347 |
16,948,293 |
15,976,442 |
8,202,650 |
|
Cork |
77,016,232 |
70,580,674 |
66,768,693 |
61,434,453 |
58,902,357 |
30,807,855 |
|
Donegal |
27,392,402 |
27,349,899 |
25,979,094 |
25,373,331 |
24,643,832 |
12,797,444 |
|
Galway |
39,100,195 |
37,495,688 |
34,801,297 |
32,489,805 |
31,565,215 |
16,440,234 |
|
Kerry |
24,003,652 |
22,545,569 |
20,222,833 |
18,160,310 |
17,492,776 |
9,127,160 |
|
Kildare |
26,736,199 |
23,741,876 |
22,133,820 |
20,555,909 |
19,682,964 |
10,439,773 |
|
Kilkenny |
16,236,157 |
15,203,721 |
14,192,540 |
13,289,838 |
13,084,078 |
6,981,014 |
|
Laois |
12,785,390 |
12,072,177 |
11,352,302 |
10,877,515 |
10,772,229 |
5,635,580 |
|
Leitrim |
5,673,433 |
5,476,294 |
5,203,306 |
4,859,321 |
4,707,170 |
2,368,374 |
|
Limerick County |
22,920,947 |
21,463,391 |
20,421,126 |
19,573,382 |
19,674,471 |
10,526,482 |
|
Longford |
7,046,160 |
7,067,227 |
6,472,094 |
6,286,391 |
6,194,931 |
3,172,858 |
|
Louth |
17,544,242 |
17,075,182 |
15,678,609 |
14,776,746 |
14,419,506 |
7,344,978 |
|
Mayo |
22,398,214 |
21,741,503 |
20,297,084 |
19,385,573 |
18,847,505 |
9,823,865 |
|
Meath |
27,797,372 |
23,962,053 |
21,766,051 |
19,952,795 |
18,861,339 |
9,647,295 |
|
Monaghan |
12,081,119 |
11,891,539 |
11,224,305 |
11,070,078 |
10,781,180 |
5,644,325 |
|
Offaly |
12,609,361 |
11,705,768 |
10,827,842 |
10,279,514 |
10,264,885 |
5,334,925 |
|
Roscommon |
10,745,562 |
11,543,618 |
10,788,815 |
10,177,855 |
10,016,423 |
5,330,767 |
|
Sligo |
11,353,315 |
11,098,369 |
10,463,763 |
9,957,281 |
9,662,563 |
4,951,830 |
|
N.Tipperary |
13,535,808 |
12,590,822 |
11,443,086 |
10,315,150 |
9,622,944 |
4,892,577 |
|
S.Tipperary |
17,301,248 |
16,364,564 |
15,431,227 |
14,622,522 |
13,854,111 |
7,212,399 |
|
Westmeath |
15,389,595 |
14,896,166 |
13,922,139 |
13,182,014 |
13,080,914 |
6,756,060 |
|
Wexford |
26,413,451 |
23,953,921 |
22,317,211 |
21,671,290 |
20,624,094 |
11,589,758 |
|
Wicklow |
20,360,629 |
19,611,844 |
18,197,952 |
16,559,758 |
14,928,307 |
7,576,280 |
|
Dublin City |
132,532,166 |
120,656,664 |
112,129,772 |
101,627,430 |
94,588,061 |
49,180,764 |
|
Limerick City |
7,915,230 |
7,798,425 |
7,061,233 |
6,561,285 |
6,093,939 |
3,238,466 |
|
Waterford City |
7,566,163 |
6,950,649 |
6,147,867 |
5,537,332 |
5,543,859 |
2,974,742 |
|
On-line |
387,568,684 |
428,982,755 |
438,165,831 |
466,168,984 |
533,330,921 |
303,949,509 |
|
Total |
1,058,605,132 |
1,057,822,734 |
1,023,823,935 |
1,010,419,164 |
1,054,701,750 |
576,212,344 |
793. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount of money drawn down in tabular form by each LEADER Company on a yearly basis since the scheme commenced. [34925/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table details the amount of Rural Development Programme funding claimed by each Local Development Company (LDCs) since 2009. The figures for May and June 2013 are subject to reconciliation as part of the quarterly claim to the European Commission and will not be available until late July.
|
LAG |
Total spend 2009 |
Total spend 2010 |
Total spend 2011 |
Total spend 2012 |
Total spend to April 2013 |
Total Spend 2009 to 2013 |
|
Avondhu/Blackwater Partnership Limited |
€588,828 |
€1,319,474 |
€1,452,701 |
€1,212,830 |
€204,892 |
€4,778,725 |
|
Ballyhoura Development Limited |
€742,929 |
€1,846,565 |
€2,130,312 |
€2,397,676 |
€733,942 |
€7,851,425 |
|
Carlow County Development Partnership Limited |
€468,972 |
€1,236,529 |
€1,337,408 |
€904,679 |
€195,865 |
€4,143,453 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan Area Partnership Ltd. |
€260,089 |
€1,160,714 |
€1,395,631 |
€1,641,645 |
€366,728 |
€4,824,807 |
|
Clare Local Development Company Limited |
€723,484 |
€1,614,083 |
€2,119,277 |
€2,411,543 |
€745,854 |
€7,614,241 |
|
Comhar na nOileán Teoranta |
€264,707 |
€677,847 |
€518,677 |
€1,105,149 |
€218,557 |
€2,784,937 |
|
Donegal Local Development Company Limited |
€617,719 |
€1,172,022 |
€1,796,013 |
€2,463,354 |
€210,706 |
€6,259,814 |
|
Fingal LEADER Partnership |
€240,673 |
€524,900 |
€447,811 |
€412,008 |
€121,731 |
€1,747,124 |
|
FORUM Connemara |
€234,588 |
€788,024 |
€513,962 |
€1,233,017 |
€306,102 |
€3,075,692 |
|
Galway Rural Development Company Limited |
€802,139 |
€1,614,501 |
€1,659,797 |
€2,057,692 |
€365,043 |
€6,499,173 |
|
Inishowen Development Partnership |
€513,148 |
€851,918 |
€1,151,797 |
€1,586,557 |
€460,250 |
€4,563,670 |
|
I.R.D. Duhallow |
€711,209 |
€1,521,751 |
€1,158,308 |
€2,069,346 |
€286,328 |
€5,746,942 |
|
Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teoranta |
€311,612 |
€580,700 |
€1,369,674 |
€1,277,935 |
€490,659 |
€4,030,580 |
|
Co Kilkenny LEADER Partnership Co Ltd |
€573,070 |
€1,390,350 |
€1,693,199 |
€1,841,995 |
€466,989 |
€5,965,603 |
|
Laois Community & Enterprise Development Co Ltd |
€361,114 |
€1,110,495 |
€1,146,117 |
€1,217,298 |
€311,407 |
€4,146,430 |
|
Leitrim Integrated Development Company |
€561,255 |
€1,126,125 |
€1,051,690 |
€1,559,626 |
€606,590 |
€4,905,286 |
|
Longford Community Resources Limited |
€551,684 |
€825,566 |
€999,436 |
€992,794 |
€296,927 |
€3,666,407 |
|
Louth LEADER Partnership |
€405,594 |
€1,083,339 |
€984,538 |
€799,034 |
€227,349 |
€3,499,855 |
|
Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Co Teo |
€810,361 |
€1,407,725 |
€748,616 |
€995,506 |
€192,305 |
€4,154,514 |
|
Meath Community Rural & Social Devel P/ship Ltd |
€855,557 |
€1,170,248 |
€1,405,591 |
€1,248,705 |
€702,011 |
€5,382,113 |
|
M.F.G. (Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta) |
€672,702 |
€1,568,791 |
€1,215,939 |
€0 |
€0 |
€3,457,433 |
|
North & East Kerry LEADER Partnership Teoranta |
€519,853 |
€1,211,941 |
€1,028,322 |
€1,210,065 |
€491,399 |
€4,461,579 |
|
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership Company |
€206,447 |
€1,355,480 |
€1,763,802 |
€2,158,895 |
€638,322 |
€6,122,945 |
|
Offaly Integrated Local Development Company |
€591,069 |
€1,477,773 |
€1,340,573 |
€1,620,240 |
€525,091 |
€5,554,746 |
|
Roscommon Integrated Development Company |
€726,597 |
€1,171,404 |
€1,625,844 |
€1,491,173 |
€250,275 |
€5,265,293 |
|
Sligo LEADER Partnership Co |
€684,669 |
€2,029,730 |
€1,525,708 |
€1,401,569 |
€294,146 |
€5,935,822 |
|
South & East Cork Area Development Limited |
€511,863 |
€1,109,984 |
€1,713,705 |
€1,365,379 |
€302,901 |
€5,003,832 |
|
South Kerry Development Partnership Limited |
€695,783 |
€903,654 |
€1,167,358 |
€1,226,912 |
€604,305 |
€4,598,012 |
|
South Tipperary Local Development Company Limited |
€427,001 |
€1,290,697 |
€1,441,884 |
€2,295,621 |
€729,961 |
€6,185,163 |
|
South West Mayo Development Company Limited |
€734,501 |
€1,912,480 |
€1,570,841 |
€1,359,056 |
€353,414 |
€5,930,293 |
|
Waterford LEADER Partnership Limited |
€458,389 |
€877,511 |
€1,936,376 |
€1,797,104 |
€734,592 |
€5,803,972 |
|
West Cork Development Partnership Ltd |
€564,250 |
€1,759,581 |
€1,742,280 |
€2,030,581 |
€506,616 |
€6,603,307 |
|
West Limerick Resources Ltd |
€487,510 |
€986,600 |
€900,345 |
€1,606,005 |
€503,152 |
€4,483,613 |
|
Westmeath Community Development Ltd |
€386,169 |
€983,967 |
€766,212 |
€1,452,864 |
€129,699 |
€3,718,910 |
|
Wexford Local Development |
€854,925 |
€1,602,255 |
€1,543,582 |
€1,454,707 |
€829,216 |
€6,284,685 |
|
Co Wicklow Community Partnership |
€545,506 |
€991,118 |
€1,098,431 |
€1,118,600 |
€202,970 |
€3,956,624 |
|
Total |
€19,665,964 |
€44,255,843 |
€47,461,759 |
€53,017,160 |
€14,606,294 |
€179,007,020 |
794. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has prepared for an increase in demand in services from his Department as a result of upcoming developments such as the Central Bank's updated code of conduct on mortgage arrears and the Land and Conveyancing Bill; the targets that have been set for the banks regarding sustainable solutions, or other developments; the steps that have been taken to deal with any surge in demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely conscious of the difficulties many households are facing in terms of mortgage arrears. Where any borrower, either from a local authority or from a private financial institution, is facing difficulties in meeting mortgage repayments, they should engage proactively and constructively with the lender to seek to achieve an agreed solution. The services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service are also available to such borrowers and support is available through the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. As part of the Government’s implementation of the recommendations in the Keane Report my Department has developed a mortgage to rent scheme for households with commercial mortgages that:
- have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable under a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), as provided for under the Central Bank’s Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears;
- agree to the voluntary surrender of their home;
- do not have significant positive equity, and;
- are eligible for social housing.
Under the scheme, which was launched nationally in June 2012, a household with mortgage arrears goes from being a homeowner to becoming a social housing tenant of an approved housing body. The household voluntarily surrender their property to their lender who in turn sells the property to a voluntary housing body. The housing body becomes the landlord and the household remain in the family home.
Local authorities have long been the lenders of last resort servicing the housing loans needs of less affluent members of society. Section 34 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides local authorities with powers to deal flexibly with distressed borrowers, and they have demonstrated sensitivity over the years in this regard. My Department has issued guidelines to local authorities, based on the Central Bank’s Code of Conduct, which continue the tradition of handling arrears in a manner sympathetic to the needs of the particular household, while also protecting the position of the local authority concerned. The Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested.
The financial parameters within which we will be operating for the coming years rule out a return to large capital funded construction programmes. The Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
795. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has sought and received legal advice outside the Office of the Attorney General; the number of times advice was sought per year in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the costs of outside legal advice per year in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34981/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in respect of legal advice to my Department from outside the Office of the Attorney General in the period 2011 to date in 2013 is set out in the following table. This does not include matters associated with the Planning Tribunal.
|
Year |
Name of Firm or Solicitor/Barrister |
Subject Matter/Nature of Work |
Cost of Legal Advice - € |
|
2011 |
Margaret Gray BL |
The drafting of Regulations to comply with Articles 3(6) and 4(3) of EU Directive 2003/35/EC relating to Public Participation |
7,622 |
|
2011 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Corrib gas pipeline/Foreshore licence drafting |
77,822.82 |
|
2011 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Oriel Windfarm/Foreshore l ease drafting |
4, 098.44 |
|
2011 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Emerald Bridge subsea telecommunications cable/Foreshore licence drafting |
6,481.15 |
|
2011 |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors |
Market Development Programme for Waste Resources - review of terms and conditions for a competition |
312 .00 |
|
2011 |
A & L Goodbody |
Legal advice on tender and contract documentation relating to the provision of a Premium Rate Weather Service |
10,374 |
|
2012 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Emerald Bridge subsea telecommunications cable/Foreshore licence drafting |
18,077.14 |
|
2012 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Providence exploration surveys/Foreshore licence drafting |
20,970.29 |
|
2012 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Dublin Array Windfarm/Foreshore lease application |
1,659.68 |
|
2012 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Codling Windfarm/Foreshore lease |
1,546.17 |
|
2012 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Gaelectric Windfarm/Foreshore Licence application |
3,365.36 |
|
2012 |
Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors |
Market Development Programme for Waste Resources - review of terms and conditions for a competition |
317 .00 |
|
2012 |
McDowell Purcell Solicitors |
Legal advice on Dublin Docklands Development Authority issues |
6,654 |
|
2012 |
Eamon Galligan SC |
Legal advice on new provisions under section 261a of the Planning and Development Act 2000 |
1,353 |
|
2012 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Provision of legal advice to the Pyrite Panel |
6,127 |
|
2013 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Emerald Bridge subsea telecommunications cable/Foreshore licence |
40,809.36 |
|
2013 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Providence exploration surveys/Foreshore licence |
9,561.17 |
|
2013 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Illegal Structures on Foreshore |
4,554.84 |
|
2013 |
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
Arklow Windfarm/Foreshore lease |
10,841.15 |
In addition to the payments listed, other contractual arrangements for services contained elements relating to ancillary legal advice, the cost of which is not separately identifiable.
796. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount outstanding in development levies to local authorities, on an authority-by-authority basis; if he will compare these with the outstanding levies that were payable six months ago and if there has been an improvement in collection; the local authorities that are charging interest on late payments and those that are not; the years to which these development levies relate; the advice he will give to local authorities in collecting such outstanding levies; the local authorities that are not meeting their statutory obligations to publish the amounts collected or owed in levies in their annual reports or give details of the way any levies were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34991/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each local authority. However, the adoption of development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members of each planning authority. It is a matter for the members to determine the level of contribution and the types of development to which they will apply. Each planning authority is also required to include details of contributions received and contributions owing to it, together with information on how the contributions have been expended, in the statutory annual report of the authority.
As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of any outstanding development contributions is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage, in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal financial procedures. Where any payments required in respect of development contributions are not settled, such payments may be pursued by the planning authority through the courts as a contract debt and, until such time as amounts outstanding are discharged in full, the conditions of the relevant planning permission have not been met and the development is unauthorised. With regard to charging interest on late payments, the enforcement of conditions attached to a planning permission, including conditions relating to the payment of development contributions, is a matter for individual planning authorities.
Information on amounts due is available on an annual basis with 2011 being the latest year for which audited information is available. Current debtors are amounts due within twelve months of the balance sheet date. Long-term debtors are amounts receivable more than twelve months after the balance sheet date. The information requested on currently due development levies, sourced from Note 5 of the Annual Financial Statements, is set out in the following table. A breakdown in respect of long-term debtors is not available in my Department.
|
Authority Name |
Year |
Year |
|
- |
2010 |
2011 |
|
- |
€ |
€ |
|
County Councils |
- |
- |
|
Carlow |
1,194,269 |
1,615,331 |
|
Cavan |
2,130,464 |
1,765,836 |
|
Clare |
6,123,354 |
7,837,202 |
|
Cork |
8,102,098 |
7,340,102 |
|
Donegal |
1,766,400 |
835,666 |
|
Fingal |
129,602,378 |
115,144,987 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown |
39,158,302 |
45,513,232 |
|
Galway |
2,582,669 |
1,582,895 |
|
Kerry |
1,214,667 |
1,414,918 |
|
Kildare |
6,517,215 |
4,846,046 |
|
Kilkenny |
4,562,682 |
4,828,476 |
|
Laois |
1,572,496 |
826,046 |
|
Leitrim |
1,721,346 |
1,638,305 |
|
Limerick |
38,511,229 |
37,921,656 |
|
Longford |
1,637,448 |
2,063,647 |
|
Louth |
3,362,437 |
3,491,644 |
|
Mayo |
10,332,760 |
10,759,094 |
|
Meath |
13,336,842 |
13,249,426 |
|
Monaghan |
959,163 |
446,778 |
|
North Tipperary |
1,731,918 |
1,494,729 |
|
Offaly |
3,139,423 |
3,162,351 |
|
Roscommon |
14,243,971 |
14,666,283 |
|
Sligo |
1,405,489 |
209,425 |
|
South Dublin |
32,102,856 |
30,664,521 |
|
South Tipperary |
1,917,858 |
1,112,729 |
|
Waterford |
2,236,748 |
2,420,817 |
|
Westmeath |
2,254,668 |
3,447,033 |
|
Wexford |
12,540,881 |
11,149,819 |
|
Wicklow |
4,441,807 |
4,382,246 |
|
City Councils |
- |
- |
|
Cork |
3,608,445 |
9,226,919 |
|
Dublin |
33,522,893 |
38,470,033 |
|
Galway |
4,770,533 |
4,213,201 |
|
Limerick |
1,601,538 |
1,082,733 |
|
Waterford |
924,236 |
1,202,889 |
|
Town & Borough Councils |
- |
- |
|
Clonmel |
433,969 |
176,517 |
|
Drogheda |
4,446,077 |
4,103,062 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,692,546 |
2,075,776 |
|
Sligo |
1,424,463 |
154,530 |
|
Wexford |
2,843,585 |
2,614,625 |
|
Arklow |
2,202,522 |
836,467 |
|
Athlone |
4,691,573 |
3,354,606 |
|
Athy |
57,399 |
63,849 |
|
Ballina |
511,035 |
431,106 |
|
Ballinasloe |
744,170 |
717,417 |
|
Birr |
950,892 |
278,708 |
|
Bray |
682,843 |
1,062,104 |
|
Buncrana |
178,661 |
203,245 |
|
Bundoran |
155,757 |
155,757 |
|
Carlow |
1,556,547 |
1,820,456 |
|
Carrick on Suir |
172,337 |
162,483 |
|
Carrickmacross |
19,700 |
11,351 |
|
Cashel |
91,051 |
116,212 |
|
Castlebar |
906,391 |
861,450 |
|
Castleblayney |
366,865 |
357,221 |
|
Cavan |
150,000 |
150,000 |
|
Clonakilty |
728,493 |
685,982 |
|
Clones |
30,955 |
44,625 |
|
Cobh |
164,756 |
160,115 |
|
Dundalk |
1,542,054 |
1,159,720 |
|
Dungarvan |
244,327 |
241,785 |
|
Ennis |
1,067,343 |
1,221,345 |
|
Enniscorthy |
160,805 |
176,245 |
|
Fermoy |
114,426 |
373,702 |
|
Kells |
118,396 |
118,396 |
|
Killarney |
346,138 |
220,515 |
|
Kilrush |
8,830 |
4,719 |
|
Kinsale |
291,157 |
296,178 |
|
Letterkenny |
833,471 |
720,219 |
|
Listowel |
124,015 |
180,816 |
|
Longford |
2,311,823 |
2,224,181 |
|
Macroom |
578,513 |
33,174 |
|
Mallow |
668,802 |
420,820 |
|
Midleton |
256,358 |
279,907 |
|
Monaghan |
1,160,102 |
997,561 |
|
Naas |
1,245,745 |
131,503 |
|
Navan |
692,343 |
570,321 |
|
Nenagh |
778,951 |
710,245 |
|
New Ross |
538,059 |
526,726 |
|
Skibbereen |
207,114 |
186,579 |
|
Templemore |
0 |
0 |
|
Thurles |
1,317,328 |
843,581 |
|
Tipperary |
490,577 |
12,902 |
|
Tralee |
707,133 |
613,476 |
|
Trim |
330,063 |
292,633 |
|
Tullamore |
105,219 |
129,613 |
|
Westport |
611,781 |
613,129 |
|
Wicklow |
733,069 |
970,678 |
|
Youghal |
391,265 |
348,713 |
797. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position on an application to Mayo North East Leader Partnership by an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; when a decision may be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35094/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Mayo North East Leader Partnership (MNELP) is the Local Action Group contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme to the North East Mayo area including the area of Swinford. I have informed the Company of my decision in principle to allow a limited resumption of its activities under the Programme once contracts and administrative procedures have been agreed with my Department and put in place. My Department has issued a revised contract to MNELP and it is expected that the formalities will be completed very shortly. I understand that MNELP has yet to complete the project evaluation process in relation to this project. However, once the revised administrative procedures are fully operational the project will be fully evaluated. As the grant amount requested for this particular project is over €150,000, the project will then have to be submitted to my Department for final approval if it is successful in the evaluation stage.
799. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be provided for Cork County Council to connect homes in an area (details supplied) in County Cork to the water mains supply in Riverstick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35118/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Riverstick Water Supply Scheme was included for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative measure of my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2007- 2009. In April 2009, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply of housing in some areas, informed all local authorities that all existing approvals under the Initiative, for which contracts had not been signed or letters of intent had issued, were being withdrawn. However, authorities were also advised that where a water services authority was of the opinion that the continuation of an approved scheme for which contracts had not been signed was necessary for the proper development of the area, it was open to the authority to make a case to the Department by the end of May 2009 for the scheme to progress. No such case was made by Cork County Council in relation to the Riverstick Water Supply Scheme.
800. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of hoax calls received by the fire brigade in each county in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the cost incurred as result of these calls in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35136/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of false alarm incidents attended by Fire Brigades within their area, broken down by malicious and good intent, for the years from 2007 to 2011, is set out in the following table. These data are based on fire statistics returns from each individual Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service. The statistical information for the year 2012 will not be available until later this year. The cost incurred as a result of these calls is a matter for the local authority concerned, and is not collected by my Department.
|
- |
2007 |
2007 |
2007 |
2008 |
2008 |
2008 |
2009 |
2009 |
2009 |
2010 |
2010 |
2010 |
2011 |
2011 |
2011 |
|
- |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
Malicious |
Good Intent |
Total |
|
Athlone Town Council |
20 |
88 |
108 |
15 |
88 |
103 |
6 |
71 |
77 |
18 |
109 |
127 |
21 |
63 |
84 |
|
Carlow County Council |
17 |
84 |
101 |
16 |
55 |
71 |
15 |
80 |
95 |
19 |
59 |
78 |
41 |
55 |
96 |
|
Cavan County Council |
9 |
62 |
71 |
12 |
50 |
62 |
11 |
78 |
89 |
9 |
59 |
68 |
3 |
33 |
36 |
|
Clare County Council |
65 |
117 |
182 |
59 |
101 |
160 |
31 |
118 |
149 |
35 |
132 |
167 |
24 |
75 |
99 |
|
Cork County Council |
44 |
269 |
313 |
25 |
318 |
343 |
14 |
282 |
296 |
13 |
255 |
268 |
40 |
254 |
294 |
|
Cork City Council |
261 |
891 |
1152 |
228 |
752 |
980 |
212 |
665 |
877 |
298 |
621 |
919 |
214 |
498 |
712 |
|
Donegal County Council |
14 |
39 |
53 |
15 |
78 |
93 |
12 |
59 |
71 |
18 |
87 |
105 |
26 |
102 |
128 |
|
Drogheda Borough Council |
30 |
78 |
108 |
31 |
78 |
109 |
24 |
79 |
103 |
14 |
85 |
99 |
12 |
72 |
84 |
|
Dublin City Council |
452 |
595 |
1047 |
824 |
869 |
1693 |
823 |
984 |
1807 |
876 |
1117 |
1993 |
847 |
453 |
1300 |
|
Dundalk Town Council |
24 |
47 |
71 |
32 |
61 |
93 |
13 |
47 |
60 |
16 |
54 |
70 |
22 |
59 |
81 |
|
Galway County Council |
32 |
377 |
409 |
32 |
383 |
415 |
32 |
315 |
347 |
48 |
347 |
395 |
41 |
241 |
282 |
|
Kerry County Council |
50 |
26 |
76 |
29 |
28 |
57 |
38 |
37 |
75 |
41 |
24 |
65 |
35 |
24 |
59 |
|
Kildare County Council |
28 |
174 |
202 |
15 |
192 |
207 |
13 |
188 |
201 |
8 |
134 |
142 |
19 |
131 |
150 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
53 |
112 |
165 |
35 |
111 |
146 |
31 |
111 |
142 |
20 |
129 |
149 |
17 |
111 |
128 |
|
Laois County Council |
10 |
108 |
118 |
13 |
111 |
124 |
3 |
119 |
122 |
3 |
104 |
107 |
7 |
97 |
104 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
1 |
20 |
21 |
5 |
27 |
32 |
6 |
28 |
34 |
11 |
28 |
39 |
7 |
35 |
42 |
|
Limerick City Council |
155 |
245 |
400 |
134 |
205 |
339 |
127 |
224 |
351 |
111 |
186 |
297 |
108 |
199 |
307 |
|
Limerick County Council |
17 |
63 |
80 |
25 |
36 |
61 |
44 |
40 |
84 |
47 |
51 |
98 |
41 |
46 |
87 |
|
Longford County Council |
5 |
27 |
32 |
10 |
56 |
66 |
3 |
67 |
70 |
5 |
61 |
66 |
20 |
43 |
63 |
|
Louth County Council |
3 |
28 |
31 |
2 |
30 |
32 |
4 |
24 |
28 |
5 |
22 |
27 |
2 |
26 |
28 |
|
Mayo County Council |
68 |
118 |
186 |
51 |
135 |
186 |
63 |
114 |
177 |
36 |
129 |
165 |
33 |
94 |
127 |
|
Meath County Council |
29 |
266 |
295 |
29 |
266 |
295 |
31 |
208 |
239 |
33 |
219 |
252 |
20 |
241 |
261 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
17 |
40 |
57 |
10 |
48 |
58 |
2 |
38 |
40 |
23 |
38 |
61 |
12 |
47 |
59 |
|
Offaly County Council |
2 |
26 |
28 |
1 |
15 |
16 |
4 |
8 |
12 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
3 |
14 |
17 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
25 |
81 |
106 |
4 |
35 |
39 |
4 |
63 |
67 |
8 |
45 |
53 |
2 |
62 |
64 |
|
Sligo County Council |
19 |
98 |
117 |
25 |
141 |
166 |
12 |
116 |
128 |
21 |
109 |
130 |
23 |
75 |
98 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
29 |
60 |
89 |
18 |
46 |
64 |
28 |
40 |
68 |
36 |
42 |
78 |
35 |
45 |
80 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
56 |
145 |
201 |
38 |
135 |
173 |
32 |
105 |
137 |
39 |
78 |
117 |
36 |
98 |
134 |
|
Waterford City Council |
53 |
132 |
185 |
51 |
103 |
154 |
36 |
119 |
155 |
44 |
86 |
130 |
66 |
80 |
146 |
|
Waterford County Council |
25 |
133 |
158 |
39 |
130 |
169 |
25 |
113 |
138 |
10 |
89 |
99 |
23 |
58 |
81 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
13 |
104 |
117 |
13 |
75 |
88 |
10 |
91 |
101 |
12 |
139 |
151 |
76 |
47 |
123 |
|
Wexford County Council |
22 |
128 |
150 |
18 |
136 |
154 |
28 |
149 |
177 |
14 |
222 |
236 |
12 |
206 |
218 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
16 |
52 |
68 |
41 |
180 |
201 |
36 |
166 |
202 |
23 |
131 |
154 |
14 |
102 |
116 |
