Written Answers Nos. 914-931
914. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps being taken at national and local authority levels to address the problem of graffiti in certain locations; if he will provide details of any funding ringfenced to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37740/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am well aware of the major blight on communities caused by graffiti. Management and enforcement responses to litter problems, including defacement by graffiti, are a primary responsibility of each local authority. The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the legislative framework to tackle these problems. Sections 19 and 20 of the 1997 Act empower local authorities to take action in relation to graffiti and, as necessary, to remove or otherwise remedy the defacement.
Each local authority must determine the level of expenditure on individual local services as part of its annual estimates process and prioritise its resources accordingly. In order to support local authority efforts to tackle graffiti, my Department provides funding under the anti-litter and anti-graffiti awareness grant scheme aimed at encouraging long-term behavioural change by individuals. I made a total of €900,000 available to fund suitable projects under the scheme in 2013.
915. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a grant aid scheme for water harvesting for households, farms and businesses as it would assist in water conservation and alleviate the financial burden of proposed water charges by utilising rain water for purposes other than human consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37794/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully supportive of all technologies which contribute to the conservation of water. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to benefit the environment and contribute to reducing the cost of water services for certain uses. However, the introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary constraints and, insofar as the funds administered by my Department are concerned, there are currently no plans to introduce a scheme for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine administers a grant scheme for rainwater harvesting for farmers, details of which are published on that Department’s website.
916. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 371 of 26 June 2012, if he will provide an update clarifying the ownership of lands (details supplied) in County Galway with a view to granting a sublease to a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37810/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position remains as outlined in my reply to question no. 371 of 26 June 2012. Final advice from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office regarding the appropriate consenting authority for the sublease is still awaited.
917. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the direction or advice his Department is giving to local authorities in relation to the provision to allow deductions for the local property tax from individual tenants via their rent payable; his views on whether local authorities will not have an adequate maintenance budget for their housing stock if they have to fund the payment of the property tax from their existing funds. [37818/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, housing authorities are responsible for determining the rents of their dwellings, subject to complying with broad principles laid down by my Department, notably that the rent payable should be related to income and that low-income households should pay a lower proportion of income in rent. Within these parameters, it is a matter for housing authorities, as an integral part of their housing management functions, to ensure that their rental income reflects, as far as practicable, the cost of managing and maintaining their housing stock.
The current arrangements for determining local authority rents will be substantially replaced on the coming into force of section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which predates, and does not refer to, the Local Property Tax legislation. The Housing (Amendment) Act 2013 was enacted in July to facilitate the coming into force of section 31. I intend to make Regulations underpinned by Section 31, which will reaffirm the principle that rents should be related to household income and composition, and reflecting the requirement that housing authorities should set rent levels that take account, as far as practicable, of the cost of providing works and services to, and managing and maintaining, their rented accommodation. I will be asking the Housing Agency to provide the relevant guidance to housing authorities to assist them in making their rent schemes to ensure that they comply with these regulations.
918. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his role in relation to the Liffey Valley special amenity area and the need to ensure that the local authorities including Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Kildare County Councils are working together to protect and enhance this amenity; if there are plans to extend this special amenity area through an order by him; the role his Department is playing in relation to the development of a Liffey Valley Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37838/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA planning authority has power, under section 202(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to make an order declaring an area to be an area of special amenity, where it considers that this should be done by reason of: “(a) its outstanding natural beauty, or (b) its special recreational value, and having regard to any benefits for nature conservation”. As Minister I have power under section 202(3) of the Act to direct a planning authority to make such an order. Orders must be confirmed by An Bord Pleanála. I am fully supportive of the protection and enhancement of the Liffey Valley as an amenity. In 2009, my predecessor requested the relevant authorities (South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council) to consider the evaluation of lands to be the subject of further Special Amenity Area Orders. Responses were received from these authorities but no decision on issuing a direction or directions was made by my predecessor prior to leaving office. Given the time that has elapsed since the relevant planning authorities responded I am considering writing to them again to seek their views/intentions in relation to further Special Amenity Area Orders. However I do not propose to issue any directions to the planning authorities concerned at this time. A number of years ago the Office of Public Works commissioned a strategy document Towards a Liffey Valley Park, which set out recommendations for the creation of a process towards the establishment of a park with a management framework for the Liffey Valley area. The matter of the implementation of these recommendations, or similar steps, is one for the local authorities concerned.
919. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 9 May 2013, the reason for prolonged delays with an application for a foreshore licence (details supplied) in County Cork. [37852/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe additional information requested from the applicant was recently submitted and is now being assessed by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee. My Department continues to await advice from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office in relation to ownership of the site.
921. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a voter registration drive will be launched nationally in conjunction with local authorities and community groups in order to promote active citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37906/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe compilation and publication of the electoral register is a matter for each registration authority in accordance with electoral law. It involves the carrying out of house-to-house or other local enquiries, including in many cases delivering registration forms to households for completion. The draft register is published on 1 November each year and is generally available for examination at post offices, Garda stations and local authority offices and on-line at www.checktheregister.ie up to 25 November. The final register is published on 1 February and comes into force for a year on 15 February.
The form being used by registration authorities to compile the 20 14 /20 15 register of electors contains information regarding eligibility to vote and to stand at the 20 1 4 European Parliament and local elections. In addition, authorities will contact directly those voters who they have identified as potential European electors from the current register of electors to alert them of their eligibility to take part in the 2014 elections. I will also be undertaking advertising later this year to coincide with the publication of the d raft register to encourage electors to check the draft and ensure they are correctly registered.
922. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline, in tabular form, the amount of funding that has been allocated to local authorities in counties Westmeath and Longford to date to address urgent public safety issues on unfinished housing estates; the number of developments in each county that have had safety works carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37907/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra923. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of unfinished housing developments in counties Longford and Westmeath that have had issues resovled and have had site resolution plans drawn up since the establishment of the national co-ordination committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 922 and 923 together.
I am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government’s response to the recommendations. The Committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector. Real progress is being made in tackling and resolving the issues faced by residents of unfinished estates and the Committee is meeting on a regular basis to oversee this effort. Under the Public Safety Initiative for Unfinished Housing Developments my Department has made allocations totalling some € 4.438 million to 2 3 local authorities from the funding made available to address immediate public safety issues. Of this, my Department has allocated some €1.158 million to Longford and Westmeath County Councils, as illustrated by the table.
The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites. To date, a total of €2.681 million has been drawn down across the local authority sector, of which €846,340 has been drawn down by Longford and Westmeath County Councils.
Site Resolution Plans (SRP’s) have been identified by the NCC as a key tool in resolving issues associated with unfinished housing developments. Such plans enable stakeholders, including developers, local authorities, financial institutions, NAMA and residents to collaborate in determining how best to pursue resolution of problematic sites. The process also entails working with stakeholders in identifying the best long-term solution for developments in terms of their configuration, use of vacant buildings and ownership. Such solutions also take account of the best interests of residents.
My Department does not gather details on the number of Site Resolution Plans in place in each local authority area; however, I have been advised that Longford and Westmeath County Councils have seen 52 and 28 SRP’s, respectively drawn up since their introduction. Of these, 26 and 17 respectively have had safety works carried out.
Longford County Council
|
Development name |
Amount allocated |
Amount paid |
|
Abbeyview, Abbeylara |
22,491 |
11,246 |
|
Abhainn Glas, Edgeworthstown |
11,123 |
11,123 |
|
An Rath Bheag, Abbeylara |
32,376 |
32,376 |
|
Ard chael, Longford Town |
78,996 |
39,498 |
|
Beechwood Park, Granard |
5,674 |
2,838 |
|
Cartrons, Keenagh |
10,607 |
5,303 |
|
Cartrun Breac, Longford Town |
62,595 |
31,298 |
|
Clough Dillons, Keenagh |
13,280 |
13,280 |
|
Cluain Rí, Ballymahon |
52,488 |
52,488 |
|
Dunaras, Ballymahon |
39,299 |
19,650 |
|
Forthill, Aughnacliffe |
55,676 |
55,676 |
|
Gleann Riada, Ballyminion |
291,753 |
245,876 |
|
Hazelwood, Legan |
34,916 |
17,458 |
|
Mastersons Court, Abbeylara |
8,297 |
4,148 |
|
McArt Meadows, Newtownforbes |
28,489 |
14,244 |
|
Radharc an Choill, Cullyfad |
33,074 |
33,074 |
|
Radharc an Muileann, Lanesborough |
50,225 |
25,112 |
|
Rath na gCarraige, Carrickboy |
20,076 |
10,038 |
|
Silver Birches, Stonepark |
73,775 |
36,887 |
|
Slí Corglass, Moyne |
40,974 |
40,974 |
|
Sliabh Rua, Drumlish |
3,519 |
1,759 |
|
White Linen Woods, Longford |
44,379 |
44,379 |
Westmeath County Council
|
Development name |
Amount allocated |
Amount paid |
|
Abbeybrook Estate, Kilbeggan |
29,973 |
14,987 |
|
Cois na Cille, Castlepollard |
11,361 |
11,361 |
|
Cluain Ard, Castlepollard |
29,238 |
14,619 |
|
Cluain Lorcain, Delvin |
28,988 |
14,494 |
|
Rathgrave Green, Castlepollard |
18,404 |
18,404 |
|
Toorvally, Moate |
25,765 |
23,750 |
924. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a timeframe for the roll-out of a new computer-aided mobilisation project system for handling fire service emergency calls; the way the system will improve the fire service's call-taking and mobilisation service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37912/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCAMP ( Computer Aided Mobilisation Project ) is the fire service’s 999/112 emergency call-taking service for the public. It is a nation-wide system, based in three regional communication centres in Dublin, Limerick and Castlebar. The system supports the operators in dealing with 999 / 112 calls for fire service assistance from the public, identifying their location and mobilising the appropriate initial response. The three regional communications centre s maintain radio communications with the responding fire service and also have a co-ordinating role in major emergencies. The regional communication centres also gather, collate and make available detailed statistical information for fire authorities. The primary benefit of the CAMP Project has been its provision of modern, consistent, quality-assured call-handling approach. It was an early example of a successful ‘shared services’ initiative.
The first generation communications and mobilisation system has served the public well over the last 20 years. However, it is clear that, with its analogue- based radio system , it is nearing the end of its life cycle. Requirements for additional functionality e.g. mobile data, location services, officer paging have also emerged as drivers for change.
CAMP – The Next Generation policy document was prepared by my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management. It sets out a policy of moving from three separate region-based communication systems to a single national system with distributed nodes at the current three CAMP centres. The three centres will be interconnected and capable of despatching, monitoring and supporting each other. It is intended to use the new National Digital Radio Service (TETRA) now being used by other emergency services as the main communications system, bringing fire services in line with other emergency services. This will provide the opportunity to achieve an improved, more resilient service for the public. In a distributed national system one control centre can mobilise the fire fighting resources of another control centre so that, if necessary, calls can be routed to available operators at other centres.
The transition from three separate regional communications centres to a single distributed system, using the National Digital Radio System will involve five key work packages with overlapping timelines. Necessary preparatory work is currently underway and migration will be carried out progressively in the period 2014 to 2016 , subject to the availability of finance for necessary capital expenditure.
925. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of leasing arrangements that have been established between Westmeath County Council, Longford County Council and the National Asset Management Agency to make properties available for the purpose of social housing; the number of persons in counties Westmeath and Longford that have been adequately housed as a result of these agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37914/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to work closely with NAMA, the Housing Agency and local authorities in identifying properties suitable for social housing. Properties that are deemed suitable may be leased or purchased by local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies through engagement with the property owners or, on their behalf, appointed insolvency practitioners, facilitated by NAMA.
A number of properties in Westmeath and Longford have been identified as suitable for social housing through this process and are currently the subject of negotiation with a view to leasing. In Westmeath specifically, four properties made available by NAMA were purchased by Túath Housing Association through the Capital Assistance Scheme in December 2012. These 3-bed properties are currently tenanted by four families.
927. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will give approval at an early date for the allocation of funds to a residents' association (details supplied) in County Kerry, through South Kerry Development Partnership, for the development of a much-needed playground and recreational area within their estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37926/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, there are 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. 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 Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations.
My Department continues to monitor the situation with regard to the allocation and drawdown of funding under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). I advised all Local Development Companies (LDCs), including South Kerry Development Partnership, of their revised Programme allocations in May 2013 and LDCs were given until 31 August to allocate any remaining available funding to ensure that all funding is allocated before the end of 2013.
Currently there is approximately €27 million in potential commitments at various stages of assessment with my Department and I envisage that this process will be complete by the end of October 2013. At this stage, all LDCs, including South Kerry Development Partnership, will be informed if there is any availability of unallocated funds with a view to reaching full programme commitment by the end of 2013. As the LDC is the principal decision maker on project funding, it will be the responsibility of the LDC to determine what projects are allocated funding, should additional funding become available from this process. I understand that the project in question is approved in principle and, in this context, it will be a decision for the South Kerry Development Partnership to determine how to address project funding should additional funds become available.
928. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on a pyrite issue; and if he will respond to correspondence on same (details supplied). [37935/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working with the Attorney General’s Office to have the necessary legislation drafted and published in the shortest possible timeframe. Providing workable solutions to the pyrite problem has proved challenging; inevitably the legislation required to underpin the proposed resolution process is complex and has given rise to a number of legal issues which are currently being addressed.
I am acutely aware that many homeowners have been waiting for effective solutions for a considerable period of time and, accordingly, I will continue to attach a high priority to providing the structures necessary to deliver a practical resolution to the pyrite problem as early as possible.
In tandem with the development of the necessary legislation, I understand that the Pyrite Resolution Board is currently working on the delivery of its online application and processing system. While there has been some slippage in the timeline as originally envisaged, the Board is committed to having the system operable as quickly as possible. However, it would not be appropriate for the Pyrite Resolution Board to accept applications in advance of the required legislation being published.
929. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has issued directives of any sort to alter insurance practices by insurance companies involved with businesses carrying out the installation of septic tanks and treatment units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37936/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsurance is a private matter between insurance companies and their clients and I have no function in this matter.
931. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider providing funding to allow local authorities to specifically fund remedial works to allow vacant local authority houses to be completed and ready for new tenants in a speedier fashion in view of the recent report which highlighted the number of vacant units within some local authorities. [37948/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the course of 2011 and 2012 my Department focused almost exclusively on refurbishing vacant properties with the objective of bringing as many as possible of these back into productive use. Over that period some 4,700 units were improved at a cost of over €52 million. Some 2,559 units were refurbished in 2011 and a further 2,115 in 2012.
Given the concentration on vacant properties in recent years, and in view of the substantial numbers of properties which were improved, it is timely to focus attention on those occupied and older dwellings which lack adequate insulation and draught-proofing. On 5 June, I announced a new €50 million three-year energy efficiency investment programme for local authority homes. This programme will target the 25,000 least energy efficient properties and result in warmer homes and lower energy bills for thousands of families and will also create around 1,000 jobs in the sector.
Local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of their social housing stock and for the preparation and implementation of planned maintenance programmes and pre-letting repairs to vacant properties. In addition to the new insulation measure my Department supports an energy retrofitting measure for local authority houses and €10 million is being provided for this purpose in 2013. Local authorities may undertake energy retrofitting works in conjunction with pre-letting repairs with the objective of getting best value for money and ensuring that the existing stock is available to meet housing need.
