Written Answers Nos. 124-129
124. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify whether under Building Control (Amendment) Regulation (SI 9 of 2014) a person will be prohibited from building his or her own home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11024/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 259, 268, 269 and 285 of 4 March 2014 which deals comprehensively with this matter. There is no question of any prohibition under S.I. No. 9 of 2014 on a person from building their own home.
125. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific conditions under which applications may be made under the enhanced group sewage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11034/14]
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 proposed, 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 approved grant assistance towards pilot schemes in nine different counties in 2013.
A review of progress on the selected pilot schemes will be completed as soon as possible with a view to deciding how best to proceed with the grant scheme.
126. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the conclusions of the report by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill will be reflected in the Heads of Bill he intends to publish before Easter. [11035/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2013, with the approval of the Government, I published Outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill for consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and stakeholders. I was pleased to note the extensive public consultation exercise on the Outline Heads undertaken by the Joint Committee, including the request for written submissions and the holding of public hearings, in which I participated. The resultant Report of the Joint Committee, published in November 2013, outlines possible course of action that might be considered in the context of drafting the legislation.
I am considering the Joint Committee's report, as well as a range of other issues, with a view to finalising the draft Heads of the Bill as soon as possible. Subject to the approval of Government, my intention is to publish the final Heads before Easter 2014.
127. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of his Department's expenditure in translating and printing Irish language publications, documents, advertisements, notices and bilingual signage in each of the past three years. [11048/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
128. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on local authorities establishing housing trusts structured as special purpose vehicles for the purposes of accessing housing finance funding for the purpose of increasing the supply of social housing in their administrative area. [11078/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra129. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider developing guidelines for local authorities who may wish to establish housing trusts structured as special purpose vehicles for the purposes of accessing housing finance funding for the purpose of increasing the supply of social housing in their administrative area. [11079/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
Under the EU Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020, support will be provided under the European Regional Development Fund for a number of investment priorities within the thematic objectives set out in the relevant EU Regulation. Investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy use in public infrastructure, including social housing, through the thematic objective of supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy, is among the eligible measures for ERDF co-funding under the Regional Operational Programmes 2014-2020.
My Department has submitted a proposal under the South and East Operational Programme 2014-2020 for the deep retrofitting of 2,000 older apartments and flats in Dublin, Cork and Limerick at an estimated cost of €100 million. It is proposed that 50% of the cost would be met by way of loan finance from the European Investment Bank to a number of Approved Housing Bodies (AHB's) who would undertake the retrofitting works and manage and maintain the properties on behalf of the local authority. The balance of the funding would be met by way of a 25% capital contribution by the Exchequer and a 25% grant from the ERDF.
It is intended that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), representative of the participating local authorities and AHB’s, the Housing Finance Agency and my own Department, will be established to manage the investment programme and oversee its implementation. However, the setting up of the SPV and the determination of appropriate governance and administrative arrangements, as well as consideration of further proposals of this nature, is contingent on the outcome of this proposal.
