Written Answers Nos. 109-115
109. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will have the Office of Public Works look at the damage done during the recent storms at a location (details supplied) and to quantify the damage done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5816/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the period from 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014 Ireland was subjected to a series of severe storms, affecting the country roughly once every three days. In addition to the very strong winds, there were periods of extremely heavy rain and a lot of thunderstorm activity. These storms coincided with high spring tides and created severe and damaging conditions in a number of coastal areas.
On 14 January I brought an Interim Report to Government on the storms, compiled by my Department in its capacity as lead Government Department for the response to severe weather. At the request of Government, my Department is currently collating more detailed reports from local authorities on the anticipated repair and recovery works, including related costings. This will enable Government, through the specific areas of responsibility of relevant Departments and Agencies, to support the local authorities on recovery measures.
Further considerable damage has been caused by flooding in recent days, and the forecast is for more severe weather over the coming days. Details on damage caused and estimated repair costs in relation to these more recent events will also be made available to Government. A coordinated local response is underway in the affected areas, led by the relevant local authorities operating in tandem with a range of Government Departments, Agencies, voluntary organisations and communities. The Principal Response Agencies remain on alert to respond to possible future events. At its meeting on 4 February, the Government decided to make an immediate allocation of €15 million for emergency purposes pending a fuller assessment of the situation over the coming weeks.
110. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the overall amount of money allocated to Irish Water to date; if he will provide a breakdown of the sources of that funding including the amount of local property tax that will be used to fund Irish Water. [5730/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of Irish Water is an integral component of the Government’s water sector reform strategy and involves major organisational change, an entirely new funding structure governed by economic regulation, the introduction of domestic water charges based on usage and the roll-out of a national domestic metering programme. The role of my Department is to drive the overall water sector reform process which includes developing the policy and legislation and ensuring delivery of the implementation strategy which was published in December 2012.
BGE had responsibility for most of the deliverables under the Government water sector reform implementation strategy. BGE developed a detailed programme initiation document within the framework of this strategy, which outlined all of the tasks required to establish a fully functioning integrated public water utility and provided this to my Department in August 2012. They also provided an associated budget to my Department which outlined the costs involved in each area of activity, totalling €150m plus €30m contingency and reflecting both the use of BGE and external resources. The budget reflected the range of tasks to be undertaken from financial, governance, regulatory business capability, systems, brand management and customer engagement perspectives. It was understood from the engagement with BGE that the majority of the funding under the heading of brand management and customer engagement would be used for customer engagement.
These establishment costs were initially funded by BGE and subsequently financed by a loan from the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF). No Exchequer funds or voted Department expenditure has been provided to BGE or to Irish Water for establishment costs. As these costs were to be included in the overall funding model for Irish Water, they would also be examined by the Commission for Energy Regulation as an integral element of the independent economic regulation of Irish Water.
The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2014 estimates total income to the Local Government Fund of €1.710 billion in 2014, including estimated Local Property Tax income of €550m. An amount of €490m is provided for Irish Water from the Fund in 2014. I expect the final outturn figure for 2014 will be slightly less than this amount at €486.5m. This amount will fund water related expenditures incurred heretofore by local authorities; these expenditures were previously met by local authorities from their own resources and general purpose grants. Irish Water, which is now responsible for capital investment in water services infrastructure, will also receive €240m in equity from the Minister for Finance.
111. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedure for appointing members to the audit committees of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5734/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 122 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides for audit committees in each city and county council. While section 5 of the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 provided for the replacement of section 122 with a new provision, that new section was not commenced.
Detailed guidelines were prepared for local authorities dealing with various issues including membership, meetings, access, reporting and working procedures of audit committees. In particular, the guidelines advised local authorities that audit committees should generally have five members, including at least three external members, and not more than two serving or retired Councillors. Where total expenditure (current and capital) by a local authority in 2005 exceeded €250m, the guidelines provided that a local authority could consider having a seven member committee, including at least four external members, and not more than three serving or retired Councillors. The Committee should be established by resolution of the Council and the external members should be approved by the Council on the nomination of the Manager following consultation with the Cathaoirleach/Mayor.
The legislative position in relation to audit committees will change arising from the inclusion of section 59 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 which, when commenced, will substitute a revised provision for section 122 of the 2001 Act. The new section will require audit committees to be established by each local authority within three months of the 2014 local elections and the committees’ role, functions and operation will be clearly set out in regulations following consultation with interested parties.
112. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding car tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5743/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new arrangements for declaring a vehicle off the road are provided for in the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013. The Act commenced on 1 July 2013 and provided for a three month transition period to the end of September 2013 to allow motorists to bring their motor tax status up to date.
During the transition period , a procedure was put in place to allow those who were abroad, and not in a position to return to the country before 30 September, to put their motor tax affairs in order by nominating a friend or relative to attend at a Garda Station on their behalf to have the required form stamped in respect of a past period of non-use. This arrangement was publicised in Ireland and notified to the various bodies dealing with the Irish abroad. It was also open to any person looking after a vehicle for a friend or relative abroad to advise that person of the new requirements for declaring a vehicle off the road and of the transitional arrangements.
The new arrangements, only allowing for a future declaration, are fully in force from 1 October 2013. Exemptions in particular cases are not provided for, given that other people have had to pay arrears in motor tax as a result of the new arrangements, and given the necessity generally of maintaining a consistent approach in the application of the legislation.
113. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the future plans for the old Ballymun Garda station, swimming pool and health centre. [5755/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the buildings referred to will be demolished in due course to facilitate the redevelopment of the town centre. The establishment of 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.
The 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 of the area 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.
114. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the inclusion of group water schemes in any free allowance of water which may be provided for by the energy regulator in the pricing scheme which is to be developed. [5763/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a date has been confirmed for the introduction of water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5836/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos. 114 and 121 together.
The 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. The Government will decide on the proposed approaches to be taken in relation to the free allowance in the near future.
The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 provides Irish Water with the power to charge for water services. The Act also provides that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) will be responsible for the economic regulation of Irish water and the charges to be levied by Irish Water will be subject to the approval of the CER. The CER has already undertaken public consultations on the development of the economic regulatory framework for water services and will be undertaking further consultations during 2014. Water charges will not commence until 1 October 2014 and the first bills will be issued by Irish Water to households from January 2015.
My Department will remain responsible for the overall policy and funding, where appropriate, of the non-public water sector, including the group water sector. Over the past decade, substantial improvements have been made in the group water sector, reflected in improved infrastructure and management and leading to greater compliance with drinking water standards. This has been accomplished through a partnership approach between my Department, the local authorities and the group water sector itself, with the important involvement of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. This co-operative approach will be maintained as the reform of water services provision is progressed.
115. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of outdoor-based staff and indoor-based staff in counties Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow County Council according to age and gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5764/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The data gathered do not provide detail in respect of age or gender within each local authority, and accordingly, the information requested is not available in my Department.
