Written Answers Nos. 514-542
515. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any special or EU funding avenues are available to island communities for vital services or facilities such as capital funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3738/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for the LEADER elements of the EU co-financed Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. Comhar na nOileán Teo is the Local Development Company contracted by my Department to deliver this Programme on the Islands and in the Galway Gaeltacht. Comhar na nOileán had an allocation of €7.2m under the Programme.
Although the current Programme is virtually fully committed Comhar na nOileán has a balance of over €2.5m of existing commitments which it will be paying in 2014. This funding is targeted at improving the quality of life in rural areas and providing greater opportunities for farm diversification. It is focused on the development of micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation and rural tourism. By focusing on these services, the Programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will ensure prosperity for the rural areas.
In addition, preparations for Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 have begun and public consultation on the Programme will commence shortly with a view to the programme commencing in 2015. The new Programme will also provide funding for island communities.
516. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the statutory deadlines for decisions made by An Bord Pleanála; his views on whether the current situation where the board has an open ended system to be unfair and a hindrance to good planning; his views on whether such a system could be open to abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3742/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine appeals and referrals under the Planning and Development Act 2000 within 18 weeks, which is considered reasonable and fit for purpose in the circumstances. The compliance rate with the statutory objective period for normal planning appeals stood at 72% for 2013, and the average time taken was 16.7 weeks. I have currently no plans to amend the provisions in relation to the 18 week statutory objective, but I will keep the matter under review.
517. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total lump sum retirement payments given to county managers in 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3744/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority Manager for |
Date of Retirement |
Lump Sum Payment |
Special Severance Gratuity Payment |
|
South Tipperary |
28/4/2011 |
€220,268 |
Nil |
|
Waterford County |
19/9/2011 |
€204,872 |
€66,256 |
|
Limerick City |
28/2/2012 |
€220,268 |
€91,223 |
|
South Dublin |
02/4/2012 |
€227,699 |
€75,900 |
|
Limerick County |
08/4/2012 |
€202,646 |
€67,549 |
|
Meath |
03/12/2012 |
€217,994 |
€72,665 |
|
Wexford |
30/11/2012 |
€202,646 |
Nil |
|
Sligo |
03/11/2013 |
€188,482 |
€62,827 |
|
Fingal |
13/11/2013 |
€220,182 |
€75,900 |
518. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to provide additional funds for re-distribution to Leader companies that have approved ready to go projects; the amount of Leader funding ring-fenced for projects in the areas serviced by the west Cork development programme, which will have a substantial economic impact on the west Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3745/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013 I announced an additional €4 million under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). Funding of €1 million is being targeted at the Gaeltacht areas which suffered a loss of funding when Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta went into liquidation in 2011 and €3 million to the areas which experienced a reduction of greater than 15% in the revised allocation awarded in May 2013. The €3 million was apportioned using the relevant Local Development Company’s (LDC) original percentage of the Programme.
In this regard, West Cork Development Partnership was awarded an additional €288,158 for its non-Gaeltacht areas and €45,700 for its Gaeltacht areas. This gives a revised allocation for West Cork of €12,798,934. In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development it is a matter for the Board of the LDC to decide on what projects should be funded with this additional funding.
519. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total duration of a contract (details supplied); the date it ended; and the final cost for the full implementation of this contract. [3750/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the tasks a company (details supplied) carried out in regard to the May 2012 contract. [3751/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra521. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria under which a company was selected for the contract (details supplied). [3752/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific areas of expertise a company provided in the contract (details supplied) that Bord Gáis Éireann-Irish Water was not able to provide in-house. [3753/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra523. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an open competition was held prior to the awarding of a contract (details supplied). [3754/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra524. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if other companies were afforded the opportunity to bid for a project (details supplied); if a number of quotes from other companies were sought prior to signing this contract; the companies that bid for the project and reasons given for their rejection. [3755/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra525. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that a contract (details supplied) was issued as part of the unbundling provision of the EU third directive, if the costs of this project were paid for by Irish Water or by Bord Gáis Éireann or a subsidiary. [3756/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list in tabular form all the contracts a company (details supplied) has received from Irish Water since May 2012; the value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3757/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 519 to 526, inclusive, together.
As Irish Water is a commercial utility and a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE), formed and registered under the Companies Act, I and my Department will not necessarily have access to details of, or direct accountability for, expenditure and other organisational matters in relation to the company. Procurement by Irish Water of external resources is a matter for the company and I have no role in approving individual contracts.
However, data supplied by Irish Water indicate that an open tender competition was conducted in 2010 to appoint a service provider to provide services in relation to organisation structure, governance and capabilities arising from the unbundling of BGE's energy business from its networks business. Following an initial shortlisting of candidates through a pre-qualification process, four tenders were received for this contract. The identity of the unsuccessful tenderers is confidential information. The most economically advantageous tender was awarded the contract with cost having a 35% weighting among the criteria for purposes of the award.
The impact of the establishment of Irish Water within the BGE group could not be technically or economically separated from the initial contract awarded to Accenture and it was necessary for Accenture to give consideration to the establishment of a new subsidiary on organisation structure, governance and capabilities in the implementation of unbundling.
The services relating to the establishment of Irish Water commenced on 10 May 2012. This followed the Government's decision of 17 April 2012 to establish Irish Water as an independent State owned subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann group. The performance of the services took place over a period of 12 weeks up to 31 July 2012 for a fixed fee of €398,689 (excluding VAT) and expenses of €16,500. In August 2012, a requirement arose for related services for programme management and data strategy and integration. These services were drawn down under the 2011 contract with Accenture. The services commenced on 27 August 2012 and concluded on 23 October 2012 and were for a fixed fee of €220,000 excluding VAT.
The initial mobilisation period of 12 weeks was an aggressive timeframe. Specialist external expertise was necessary in conjunction with BGE's in-house expertise to deliver in the timeframe for mobilisation and in a cost effective manner. BGE paid for the costs of the unbundling provision of the EU Third Directive. Costs relating to services associated with the establishment of Irish Water were allocated to Irish Water.
Accenture has been awarded one framework agreement by Irish Water since May 2012. Details of this framework were provided to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 14 January 2014. Specifically, Accenture were awarded lots 4, 5 and 8 to provide services to support the delivery of the Irish Water implementation programme. This work involves Programme Management across the Business Capability areas of Irish Water as well as developing an integrated operating model. The operating model includes the detailed development of an organisation structure. Central programme management across the entire programme is also included in the scope.
Irish Water has assured my Department that the award of the additional services to Accenture complied with EU procurement rules.
527. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider allocating funding to support the construction of local authority homes to reduce reliance on the private rented sector and to reduce the number of people on social housing waiting lists at present; if his Department will continue to work with the National Asset Management Agency to identify and provide suitable social housing from its residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3781/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s 2011 Housing Policy Statement clearly outlines 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. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions to address housing needs.
The financial parameters within which we continue to operate will not facilitate 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.
I have already, this year, indicated a return to modest levels of new social housing construction. Over the next few months, I intend to announce some 1,000 new house starts across the voluntary, local authority and regeneration housing work programmes for 2014/2015. Last week, my Department requested local authorities to submit proposals by 28 March for new construction and acquisition projects under the Capital Assistance Scheme over the next two years. I intend to announce details of the new social housing construction programme for local authorities shortly. I also intend to announce details of a special investment of €15 million for the retrofitting of boarded-up local authority houses to make these available to households in need of social housing.
Delivery of social housing continues to be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition.
The Social Housing Leasing Initiative offers an effective and efficient response to housing need, taking account not just of the availability of resources but also market conditions and the need for a broader range of more flexible delivery mechanisms. To the end of December 2013, 4,600 social housing units have been delivered under the leasing initiative. It is expected that this initiative will continue to provide substantial numbers of social housing units in the years ahead.
In addition, my Department, the Housing Agency and NAMA continue to work together with housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards bringing suitable NAMA units into social use and to ensure continued delivery of housing units for social purposes. Approved Housing Bodies will also play a key role in the delivery of social housing and, in particular, having regard to their capacity to attract external financial investment. It continues to be my objective to maximise the delivery of social housing using all of the resources available.
By the end of December 2013, some 2,055 units have been confirmed by local authorities as being suitable for social housing with the overall total delivery of social housing from NAMA sourced units standing at 596 (completed or contracted) since the process began. Further information in relation to the delivery of NAMA sourced units, including a full breakdown by county of units delivered by quarter, is available at the Housing Agency’s website: www.housing.ie/NAMA.
In spite of the financial constraints within which we are required to operate, I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2014 to be in the region of 5,000 new housing units.
528. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the €800 million spent on the Ballymun regeneration project to date. [3786/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the period 1999 to date, over €755 million has been recouped by my Department to Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) in respect of the physical, social and economic regeneration of Ballymun.
This has facilitated the construction of over 1,800 replacement homes in Ballymun. Of the original 36 high rise blocks, 33 of these have been demolished to date with the remaining three tower blocks scheduled for demolition early this year. The construction of 1,300 private affordable houses has created tenure diversity in the area adding a demographic balance to Ballymun.
In addition to the housing element, key infrastructure and public realm projects were developed including public amenities such as Balcurris Park, Poppintree Park and Coultry Park as well as roads, water supply and wastewater collection systems, storm water drainage and attenuation measures, all of which were necessary to create a modern, accessible and people-centred residential area.
In order to support social regeneration and sustainability, a number of community-based projects were developed by BRL including the Axis arts and community resource centre, the Poppintree Early Education Centre, the Ballymun Leisure Centre and the Rediscovery Centre.
The establishment of the Main Street in Ballymun, with significant public sector investment, is one of the major achievements of the regeneration project with a variety of commercial, retail and community facilities, including the Civic Buildings which accommodate the local area office, a primary care centre, motor tax office and the new district Garda headquarters.
Significant investment also went into improving a wide range of social and family services in Ballymun including education supports at primary and secondary level, training and job placement.
The physical regeneration of Ballymun is approaching practical completion. Dublin City Council will continue its efforts to secure private sector investment for the completion of the town centre project. Looking to the future, BRL has created an inter-agency road map Sustaining Regeneration – a Social Plan for Ballymun. My Department is committed to continued investment in social regeneration in Ballymun and in safeguarding the substantial State investment in this flagship regeneration project.
A breakdown of the expenditure recouped to BRL over the period 1999 to 2013 is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
1999 |
6,732,405 |
|
2000 |
20,346,410 |
|
2001 |
59,409,394 |
|
2002 |
73,856,201 |
|
2003 |
72,674,400 |
|
2004 |
74,288,270 |
|
2005 |
98,339,979 |
|
2006 |
52,815,000 |
|
2007 |
48,919,930 |
|
2008 |
75,000,000 |
|
2009 |
63,577,376 |
|
2010 |
40,001,618 |
|
2011 |
20,519,155 |
|
2012 |
30,000,000 |
|
2013 |
18,919,515 |
|
TOTAL |
755,399,653 |
529. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a senior alert alarm in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3813/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
The maximum grant per beneficiary for equipment is as follows: Monitored personal alarms (with pendant) - €250; Additional pendant/Re-installation - €50. The annual monitoring costs (generally between €60-€80 per annum) are borne by the beneficiary.
The person referred to in the question was approved for and granted funding under the Scheme for a monitored alarm unit in December 2013. I am advised that the application form indicates that the monitoring fee, payable to the alarm company by the beneficiary, is €66 per annum and is not a matter for my Department.
530. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the new building regulations taking effect on 1 March 2014, the training and resources that have been provided to local authority staff in relation to the new building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3814/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is liaising closely with local authorities in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements for the control of building activity that will apply when the new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations come into effect on 1 March 2014. I understand that relevant local authority staff have in recent weeks in particular been receiving comprehensive briefing and guidance on the new regulations and their implementation and on the new online Building Control Management System developed and hosted by the Local Government Management Agency as a common platform for the electronic administration of building control functions by all local authorities. Training and development needs of individual staff members are a matter for each local authority in line with standard arrangements.
531. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the restriction imposed on county councils freezing development levies and mandating that expenditure on capital projects had to be confined to the amount of levies raised in a particular year is still in place; and the reason for same. [2575/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2009, my Department set out details of the financial requirements for local authorities relating to their overall management of capital and current accounts. These requirements flow directly from the requirement for Government finances as a whole to be managed in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact, established under the Maastricht Treaty, and the associated limitation on budget deficits. The local government sector must not impact negatively on the General Government Balance (GGB) in any one year.
In order to stay within the overall GGB limit, it is necessary for local authorities to maintain both their current and capital accounts broadly in balance. The only restriction on local authorities is that, in aggregate, capital income equals capital expenditure in the year. Balance is only required at an overall level and this allows considerable scope for authorities to draw on their existing capital reserves as an element of their overall investment programme. The precise manner in which capital and current accounts are managed in order to achieve the overall balance necessary is a matter for individual local authorities.
It is a matter for every local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process, having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources within the GGB limits as set out.
532. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration is being given to a system of allowances for water charges that allows higher allowances for persons with specified medical conditions that necessarily entail higher than average water usage; the work that has been done on this matter to date; and if there will be any public consultation on the way the allowance system will operate. [3827/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. An inter-departmental working group has been established to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing affordability issues which may arise with the introduction of domestic water charges. The group is examining the issues arising for those with specific medical conditions which require high water usage in the course of its work.
The group comprises my Department and the Departments of the Taoiseach, Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. The group will submit a final report for consideration by Government when it has completed its examination of the issues involved. This will allow for decisions on the proposed approach to be taken in advance of proposed public consultation by the Commission for Energy Regulation on the approach to the design of domestic water tariffs during 2014.
533. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects the Pyrite Resolution Board to be in a position to commence accepting applications from homeowners seeking assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3861/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Board has recently submitted a draft pyrite remediation scheme for my approval and I hope to be in a position to respond to the Board very shortly. I understand that the Board is finalising its application and processing system and intends to be in a position to receive applications within the next month.
535. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will seek clarification that the Commission for Energy Regulation will regulate the water authority in order that its pricing structure takes cognisance of the financial implications caused to residents in County Meath whose supply is affected by hard water causing limescale and a shorter lifetime for appliances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3898/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Acts 2013 provide that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) will be responsible for the independent economic regulation of Irish Water. In particular, the CER will be responsible for approving the water charges plans prepared by Irish Water, and for approving codes of practice to be prepared by Irish Water. The primary role of the Regulator will be to protect the interests of customers and to ensure a consistent and appropriate level of service is provided to them. In discharging its functions, the CER proposes to undertake a public consultation on the approach to the design of domestic water tariffs during 2014.
Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water they supply is wholesome and clean and meets the quality standards specified in the Schedule to the Regulations, water which is wholesome and clean is defined as water which is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or concentrations constitute a potential danger to human health. Hard water and the minerals associated with hard water, such as calcium and magnesium, are not included as parameters in the quality standards specified in the Regulations as they do not pose as a threat to human health. Even though hard water is safe to drink and meets the required drinking water standards, some households may choose to soften their supply but this is a matter of personal choice.
536. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will grant funding to Waterford County Council under the capital assistance fund in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3909/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) funding is provided to Approved Housing Bodies, through the local authorities, for the provision of accommodation for persons with specific categories of housing need, including older persons, persons with a disability or homeless persons.
Last week my Department requested local authorities to submit by 28 March, 2014 a prioritised list of new CAS projects to be progressed over the next two years. It will be a matter for local authorities to determine the relative priority of projects on the basis of their contribution to meeting local housing need and to shortlist these in order of merit. Further consideration of the CAS projects for funding approval over the next two years, including projects in County Waterford, must await the receipt of submissions from the local authorities.
537. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to problems at a local authority estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow such as leaking roofs, doors and windows, mildew, mould and damp gathering on the floors, ceilings and walls leading to foul odours, and plumbing issues. [3910/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra538. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the criteria used in awarding the contract for the construction of an estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow or the warnings of consultant engineers that the contractor was unable to complete the project for the cost submitted. [3911/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra539. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will commit to initiating an independent investigation into the construction, design and signing off on a local authority estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of serious concerns over the quality of the design and construction of the houses therein which has led to leaking roofs, doors and windows, mildew, mould and damp gathering on the floors, ceilings and walls leading to foul odours and plumbing issues. [3912/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra540. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when an independent survey will take place in respect of an estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [3913/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his planned course of action after the proposed survey of a local authority estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow takes place; the anticipated time scale for repair work to take place; and the way residents will be rehoused during these works. [3914/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra542. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if repairs to a local authority estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow are not forthcoming, or funding is not available for repairs the plans to re-house the tenants in suitable habitable accommodation until such time as houses are returned to a habitable state. [3915/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 537 to 542, inclusive, together.
The Hillview estate is comprised of a mixture of social and affordable houses and was developed by Wicklow Town Council over the period 2000 to 2006. There are 82 social houses in the estate. Twenty four of the houses were constructed by the Council’s direct labour staff. The other 58 houses were developed over the period 2003 to 2006 by way of a construction contract procured under the public procurement arrangements for State funded projects.
There are no proposals with my Department in connection with remediation works to houses in the Hillview estate. My Department understands, however, that Wicklow Town Council is in the process of procuring the services of an independent firm of consultants to undertake a condition survey of houses in the estate and to submit a report on their findings. It will be a matter for the Town Council to determine what course of action is needed once the consultant’s report has been received and examined.
