Written Answers Nos. 469-489
469. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money to be reallocated for Leader projects; the way it will be allocated; and when will it be announced. [50462/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra484. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the value of moneys decommitted from Leader projects not proceeding or completed under budget since 31 August 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50702/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the value of Leader funds that are available for redistribution arising from findings of non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50703/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 484 and 485 together.
The overall value of the LEADER elements of the current Rural Development Programme is €370m and of that up to 20% can be spent on administration costs leaving approximately €296m available for projects and animation activities. In May 2013 Local Development Companies (LDCs) were advised that all available project funding under the RDP should be allocated to eligible projects by 31 August. This was to include funding that became available through the decommitment of funding to projects that were not going to proceed or that were deemed ineligible. Of the €296m that is available, €285m has been committed with a further €9.5m worth of projects still under assessment and projects to the value of €2m are under appeal.
My Department is keeping the funding position under constant review. I expect that there will be a small amount of uncommitted LEADER Programme funding available for re-distribution to LDCs before year end; I will review the options available for distributing these funds and make allocations in the coming weeks.
470. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider changing the criteria regarding the minimum contribution requested from households to enable rural group water schemes such as Downpatrick water scheme in County Mayo to go ahead; in the absence of CLÁR funding the 16 households in Downpatrick are unable to avail of the funding allocated by Mayo County Council unless the criteria are changed; his views on whether it is wrong that these people are denied the basic human right of clean water while €170,000 is returned to his Department from Mayo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50493/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for the water services authorities, Mayo County Council in this case.
There are particular issues with regard to the putting in place of some new group water schemes where the costs involved call in to question the viability of the scheme. At present, grants of up to 85% of cost, subject to a maximum grant of €6,475 per house, are available towards new group water schemes. The National Rural Water Services Committee, which has a role in advising me in relation to policy and investment in rural water services, has been considering the issue of funding of new group water schemes. I am expecting advice from the Committee by the end of this year, and will then give consideration to any suggestions it may make regarding amendments to the scheme.
472. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount his Department has allocated to Cork County Council for water supply network projects for west Cork including the islands; the schemes that have been approved by his Department; the amount allocated; the proposed timescale for the completion of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50509/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Question refers to the Water Mains Rehabilitation project in West Cork. I have approved funding of €6.61m to enable Cork County Council rehabilitate 50 km of water mains targeted under an advanced phase of Cork County Council’s Water Conservation Programme. Of this allocation 23 km of the priority mains rehabilitation is being carried out in West Cork at the following locations - Cape Clear (11.5km), Bantry (5.5km), Kealkill/Bantry (2.2km) and Castletownbere (3.7km). I understand that the Council is currently procuring a contractor to carry out the necessary site investigations works. The Council expects to award this contract shortly with works scheduled to be completed within 4-5 months of start date.
Irish Water will be responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure from 1 January 2014, and is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014-2015. This Plan will include taking account of the transition of projects that are included in the current Water Services Investment Programme.
473. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is expected that houses (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be transferred from the National Asset Management Agency into Kilkenny local authorities as part of its social contract; the number of houses that will become available; if he will outline specifically the number of two-bedroom and three-bedroom houses that will be transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50517/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI cannot comment on individual units of housing that are under negotiation to be acquired for use as social housing. However, in Kilkenny to the end of September 2013 167 units have been identified by NAMA as being potentially suitable for social housing and of these 96 have been confirmed as being suitable. My Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA continue to work together with housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards bringing these units into social housing use. My Department does not hold information on the individual housing types being considered, which can change as negotiations progress. Further information, including quarterly updates, in relation to the delivery of NAMA sourced units is available at the Housing Agency’s website: www.housing.ie/NAMA.
474. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the funding that was made available by his Department for the Bandon main drainage scheme; the date this funding was allocated and if this money is ring-fenced for this project; if he will provide an update on the progress of this scheme including a start date and projected completion date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50533/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Cork. It includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €230 million in the county during the period of the Programme. Contracts for both a wastewater treatment plant upgrade and network for the Bandon Sewerage Scheme Phase 2 are included as contracts to start during the life of the Programme. My Department is awaiting the submission of a Preliminary Report for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Scheme/Contract.
In February 2012 I approved funding of €3.9m for the network contract on the scheme; Cork County Council awarded the contract in March 2012 and the Contractor commenced work at that time. However, contractual issues subsequently emerged and the Contractor and the Council agreed to the termination of the contract by mutual consent. Cork County Council has now appointed a consultant to complete the Contract Documents which will incorporate all of the outstanding works on the network element of the scheme.
475. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be allocated to a group sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50570/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012, I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever was the lesser.
I propose, in the first instance, to carry out a number of pilot schemes based on the increased grant level. My Department asked local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for pilot group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. Following an examination of the proposals received, with particular regard to the environmental justification provided and the estimated costs, I have approved grant assistance towards pilot schemes in nine different counties, including one, with an estimated cost of €58,000, at Military Road, Birr, Co. Offaly. The proposal received from Offaly County Council for Ballydaly, Tullamore, which had an estimated cost of €500,000, was not selected as a pilot scheme. Progress on the selected pilot schemes will be reviewed in due course with a view to deciding how best to proceed with the grant scheme.
476. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list all the applications his Department has received from Kildare County Council for small sewage-waste water treatment systems in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50601/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes and small public schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012, I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever was the lesser.
I propose, in the first instance, to carry out a number of pilot schemes based on the increased grant level. My Department asked local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for pilot group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. Proposals for two group sewerage schemes, at Boston Cottages and Kilmacredock, were received from Kildare County Council. Following an examination of the proposals received, with particular regard to the environmental justification provided and the estimated costs, I have approved grant assistance towards pilot schemes, including Boston Cottages, in nine different counties.
With regard to small public schemes, as responsibility for the Rural Water Programme is devolved, the selection and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding, within the overall priorities set out by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is a matter for water services authorities. Information in this regard would, therefore, be available from Kildare County Council.
Separately, an application for funding for waste water treatment works under the Public Safety Initiative for unfinished housing developments was received from Kildare County Council, in respect of Millbrook Housing Estate, Timolin, Moone, Co Kildare. The amount requested was €73,421, but the application was declined as it was deemed not to fall within the remit of the initiative.
477. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way national lottery funds are allocated to good causes; and if he will provide in tabular form the good causes and the amount distributed for the period 2008 to date in 2013. [50640/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the allocation of National Lottery funding to Departmental expenditure programmes generally is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Appendix 1 to the Revised Estimates for Public Services, http://per.gov.ie/estpubexp2012/, published by that Department on an annual basis gives information on expenditure programmes which are part funded by the National Lottery.
The annual Appropriation Account for the Vote and my Department’s website http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/CorporateServices/DeptFinance/ detail relevant expenditure on specific schemes and projects which have been identified as benefiting from National Lottery funding. The relevant data for 2013 will be available on the website following finalisation of this year’s Appropriation Account. To be of assistance, details of expenditure by my Department, part funded by the National Lottery in 2008 -12, are set out in the table.
|
- |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Programme |
|||||
|
Communal Facilities in Housing Projects |
2.998 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
2 |
0.7 |
|
Private Housing Grants |
14.7 |
3.5 |
6.688 |
6.375 |
6.764 |
|
Supports for Community and Voluntary Sector |
12.229 |
11.22 |
7.283 |
4.43 |
6.285 |
|
Local and Community Development Programmes |
25.863 |
21.844 |
20.381 |
5.915 |
7.528 |
|
Total |
55.79 |
39.064 |
37.852 |
18.72 |
21.278 |
478. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the development plans for the main town centre in Ballymun, Dublin. [50641/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith the imminent wind-down of Ballymun Regeneration Ltd, it is a matter for Dublin City Council, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, to advance the proposed development of the main town centre in Ballymun. Planning permission for the redevelopment of the privately owned Ballymun Shopping Centre and the adjoining lands owned by the City Council was granted in September 2009. The proposed redevelopment did not proceed at that time due to the prevailing economic conditions. However, the provision of commercial, retail and other services in Ballymun, and at this prominent site in particular, remains an important objective within the context of the overall regeneration programme. Dublin City Council continues to liaise with the relevant parties, including NAMA and the Receiver, with the objective of progressing the proposed redevelopment of the existing shopping centre and adjoining lands.
479. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funds that will be made available to the social regeneration fund after Ballymun Regeneration Limited is wound down. [50642/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department remains committed to the provision of funding for social regeneration initiatives in Ballymun in 2014 and beyond. Funding for next year will be considered in the context of the 2014 Ballymun Regeneration Work Programme to be agreed between my Department and Dublin City Council in early 2014.
480. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to direct all local authorities to implement the business and retail incentive scheme to ensure that retailers and businesses are provided with incentives to locate to town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50690/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 9 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that the functions of local authorities include providing grants, loans guarantees or other financial aid to promote the interests of the local community, including economic interests. As the adoption of the budget is a reserved function, setting money aside from within the local authority’s budget for a grant scheme would also be a reserved function. Given the current pressure on local authority income, it may not be financially viable for some local authorities to offer the incentives in question without unduly affecting the delivery of other services.
The cost of administration of a scheme, such as the Business and Retail Incentive Scheme, would also need to be considered, including the merit of administering any such incentives through an existing financial support mechanism rather than creating a new mechanism (with consequential overheads) in the local authority system. My Department issued updated guidance to local authorities earlier in 2013 on the issue of development contributions which requires, inter alia, that development contribution schemes include reduced or waived development contribution rates for developments in town centres to support town centre development. The guidelines have been issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2012, and, accordingly, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to them in performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
481. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make funding available to assist in the regeneration of Buttercup housing estate in Darndale, Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50695/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 653 of 5 November 2013 which sets out the position on this matter.
482. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department investigates the salary scales in housing bodies and charities before awarding them public funds; and if there are any criteria in terms of wage caps which are expected or required. [50697/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992 enables housing authorities, inter alia, to provide assistance to approved housing bodies in respect of the provision of housing. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) consist mainly of voluntary or co-operative organizations registered under the Companies Acts, societies registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Acts and/or Trusts incorporated under the Charities Acts.
The salaries payable to employees of AHBs are first and foremost a matter for the Boards of Management of the bodies concerned. My Department’s involvement with voluntary and co-operative housing bodies relates primarily to the provision of funding under specific schemes. The detailed administration of the schemes, the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of those schemes and the processing of applications for funding, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
My Department is currently developing a regulatory framework for the sector. A landmark first step in this regard was the publication on 15 July 2013 of Building for the Future, a voluntary regulation code for the sector that is available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie. It is a clear governance objective that bodies signing up to the code must be financially viable and have adequate resources to meet both current and future business and financial commitments.
483. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the value of Leader projects currently awaiting approval by his Department for awards in excess of €150,000; if he will confirm the value of projects in this group that were submitted to his Department prior to 20 May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50701/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, as agreed with the European Commission, stipulates that all projects in excess of €150,000 require prior approval from my Department. Currently 31 such projects, to the value of €9.5m, are at various stages of assessment and, of those, 12 projects to the value of €3,461,179 were received by my Department prior to 20 May 2013.
486. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the contingency plans his Department has to continue to deliver essential services in the event of a local authority becoming insolvent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50718/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Taoiseach continues to put his head in the sand and washes his hands like a Pontius Pilate act, many of the people I am talking about will end up on the streets, as Focus Ireland said this morning. It is certain that families evicted from their homes will end up on the huge local authority housing waiting lists. Some 110,000 families are already on those lists and more will join the end of that queue. It is also certain that they will be entitled to rent supplement at a significant cost to the State.
The mortgage to rent scheme would allow these families to stay in their homes on a rental basis and also give them an option of repurchasing in future if their financial circumstances improve. Surely that scheme would be both socially and financially beneficial to families, the State and even to the banks. However, even though we bailed out the banks they are resisting this scheme. The Government seems to have abandoned the scheme. There have only been 60 approvals in that scheme since it was introduced.
Will the Taoiseach personally intervene with the banks to ensure that they fully operate the mortgage to rent scheme? That would give some hope to the 30,000 families involved who are facing eviction. This is a huge problem.
487. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list the issues Clare County Council was asked to address by letter of October 2012, informing the council that the preliminary report for the Shannon sewerage scheme was not approved and that the council should address issues in relation to the report as set out by his Department; if the council has responded; if the council has addressed the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50738/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra488. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has received the report of the Environmental Protection Agency audit, dated 16 October 2013, on the Shannon town wastewater treatment plant of Clare County Council, which found that the Shannon town wastewater treatment plant was generating significant hydrogen sulfide odours, it was designed and built without preliminary treatment facilities, it is operating in a septic condition probably due to the inadequacy of the mixing/aeration equipment currently installed, it is currently achieving very little in terms of wastewater treatment, and that urgent priority measures need to be taken ahead of the longer term planned upgrade of the plant; the way in which he will respond to the urgent need identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50739/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
The Shannon Sewerage Scheme is included as a Scheme at Planning in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. In July 2012 I approved the commitment of the necessary capital funding of just over €1 million to allow Clare County Council complete the tender formalities with the successful tenderer in respect of an Advance Mechanical and Electrical Contract to upgrade four Pumping Stations on the scheme. I understand from the Council that work will commence on the advance works contract in the near future.
In October 2012, my Department wrote to Clare County Council informing the Council that the Preliminary Report for the Shannon Sewerage Scheme was not approved and that the Council should address detailed technical issues in relation to, inter alia, storm water run-off ingress, re-evaluation of the collection system, and implementation of the composite sampling programme recommended for the Treatment Plant and monitoring of the discharges. The Council was also advised to take cognisance of all additional statutory obligations that have come into effect since the completion of the Preliminary Report. The Council’s response, which was received in my Department in October 2013, is currently being examined and a reply will issue as quickly as possible.
Operational issues relating to water services infrastructure are a matter for the relevant water services authorities, in this case Clare County Council. However, I understand that the Council and the Environmental Protection Agency are working to identify the cause of the odour issues which will determine any remedial action required.
489. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided by his Department to organisations or agencies to deal with homelessness over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50747/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Housing authorities provide additional funding from their own resources. The Section 10 funding provided by my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis for the years 2009 to 2012 is set out in the table below. Details of the allocations to the 9 regions for 2013 are also provided.
Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988
|
- |
Funding Provided |
Funding Provided |
Funding Provided |
Funding Provided |
Funding Allocated |
|
Region |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Dublin |
€38,967,542 |
€40,521,375 |
€35,732,525 |
€32,398,290 |
€31,322,223 |
|
South East |
€1,945,792 |
€1,742,886 |
€2,110,476 |
€1,848,877 |
€1,787,469 |
|
North East |
€1,197,451 |
€1,037,617 |
€912,250 |
€910,194 |
€879,963 |
|
Midlands |
€872,375 |
€666,344 |
€624,897 |
€672,027 |
€649,707 |
|
South West |
€5,458,211 |
€4,270,143 |
€3,505,749 |
€4,418,967 |
€4,272,197 |
|
Mid-West |
€4,110,166 |
€3,435,607 |
€2,905,457 |
€3,516,119 |
€3,399,336 |
|
West |
€2,175,312 |
€1,699,288 |
€1,227,696 |
€1,581,478 |
€1,528,951 |
|
Mid East |
€885,801 |
€906,842 |
€697,665 |
€839,146 |
€811,275 |
|
North West |
€444,206 |
€423,355 |
€406,335 |
€360,865 |
€348,879 |
|
Total |
€56,056,856 |
€54,703,457 |
€48,123,050 |
€46,545,963 |
€45,000,000 |
In addition, details of the funding provided by my Department to organisations tackling the issue of homelessness under the Scheme to Support National Organisations for the years 2009 - 2013 are set out in the table below.
|
- |
2009 € |
2010 € |
2011 € |
2012 € |
2013 € |
|
Simon Communities of Ireland |
191,040 |
171,936 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
84,780 |
