Written Answers Nos. 473-497
473. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the delay in announcing the funding decisions for the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector; when the funding decisions will be made and announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26048/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. The new scheme will commence from 1 July 2014. The results of a competitive assessment process are being considered and groups will be notified shortly.
474. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when is it intended to take the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 through Seanad Éireann; the status of the proposals to include a rental deposit scheme and provisions on anti-social behaviour; if these amendments have been drafted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26054/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 is currently before the Oireachtas and will amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to provide, inter alia, for:
- the inclusion of the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector within the remit of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004;
- the introduction of a new fast-track procedure to deal with non-payment of rent;
- the transfer of the functions of the Rent Tribunal to the PRTB on foot of the Government decision on the rationalisation of state agencies.
The Bill has passed all stages in the Dáil, together with Second Stage in the Seanad.
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides that a third party affected by anti-social behaviour may take a case to the PRTB against a landlord who has failed to enforce a tenant’s obligation not to engage in anti-social behaviour. The Bill will include amendments, to be introduced at Committee Stage in the Seanad, to make it easier for a third party to make a complaint concerning anti-social behaviour. The amendments will provide that the third party may refer a complaint to the PRTB where they have attempted to resolve the issues with the landlord alone, rather than with both landlord and tenant which they must do under the Act currently. In addition, the amendments will provide that an owners’ management company, a residents’ association or a neighbourhood watch scheme may bring a third party complaint to the PRTB.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a tenancy deposit protection scheme. On foot of this commitment I asked the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to commission research on such a scheme and to report back to me with recommendations in that regard. The subsequent report assessed a number of different options for delivery of a scheme and, following consideration of these options, I secured Government approval for the establishment of a scheme based on a custodial model.
Legislative provisions for the deposit protection scheme, together with the anti-social behaviour amendments, are currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to introduce the amendments at Committee Stage of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 in the Seanad shortly.
475. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application to Mayo North East Leader (details supplied); if it will be expedited as the event is approaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26058/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the evaluation of this project is nearing completion. Mayo North East LEADER Partnership met with the promoter last week to discuss a number of issues and is now awaiting the submission of documentation from the promoter in order to address the issues raised.
476. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if in the contexts of correspondence from the deputy chief medical officer, dated 11 April 2014 to his Department identifying that the limited number of peer revised articles and research about the influence of wind turbines on human emotional and physical health requires to be addressed; if he will ensure that this issue is addressed and that adequate resources are provided to do so; if the deputy chief medical officer and the Department of Health will be given the lead role in this area of profound national importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26076/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in respect of the wind energy guidelines 2006, that notwithstanding the recognised concerns, that the Department of Health had no input into the finalisation of these guidelines, especially in relation to recommending a safe level of noise; his views that this was a serious anomaly; if he will take steps to ensure that the concerns of the Department of Health are now recognised and included in the current review of these guidelines, especially in view of the fact that the draft revision of these guidelines, prescribe a noise level that is in excess of twice that which the World Health Organisation recommend for protecting community health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26077/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that with regards to both the wind energy development guidelines 2006, and the review of same, that a health vacuum exists and that in the context of this health vacuum, that local authorities have a legal obligation to protect community health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26078/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an undertaking that, in relation to the wind energy development guidelines 2006 targeted review, the Department of Health will have a central and lead role in recommending a safe level of noise which protects community health in the revised guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26079/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra480. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that pending a review by the deputy chief medical officer and the Department of Health of the impact of wind turbines generated noise upon communities and persons, if in the interim, he will confirm that the World Health Organisation standards pertaining to the maximum noise limits which will be permitted to apply and that a circular to that effect be issued to all planning authorities to this effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26080/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 476 to 480, inclusive, together.
My Department is currently conducting a review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines focused specifically on noise and shadow flicker. As part of this process, my Department wrote to the Department of Health in September 2013 inviting any input that they might have on the health aspects, if any, of wind farms.
Preliminary feedback was received from a Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Department of Health on 11th November 2013, which indicated that wind turbines do not represent a threat to public health. This feedback was based on a 2009 literature review conducted by the Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council.
The Deputy CMO subsequently wrote to my Department on 11 April 2014 to advise that Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council have recently updated their evidence in relation to this matter. In that letter, the Deputy CMO states ‘This review again supports previous advice that there is no reliable or consistent evidence that wind farms directly cause adverse health effects in humans.’ The Deputy CMO also refers to the limited number of peer reviewed articles and research in this area and that Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council may recommend further high quality research. My Department will continue to liaise with the Department of Health, particularly in relation to the findings of any further international peer reviewed research on this subject. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has also been made aware of this ongoing dialogue in the context of the implementation of their renewable energy policy (including wind energy).
My Department published draft revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines on 11th December 2013 and commenced a period of public consultation. A stringent absolute outdoor noise limit (day and night) for future wind energy developments has been proposed in these draft revisions to Guidelines. This takes into account the 2009 World Health Organisation’s findings in relation to night time noise, when people are generally sleeping, and the recent review of international practice on wind noise undertaken by Marshall Day Acoustics.
Submissions were received from 7,500 groups and individuals during the public consultation period, which are currently being considered by my Department. Following consideration of these submissions, my Department intends to consult further with the Department of Health prior to finalising the revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
481. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the implementation of the proposed housing assistance payment can be fast-tracked to assist in alleviating the problem of housing which is particularly prominent in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26085/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 30 April 2014 Government approved the publication of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 which will, when enacted before the end of the current Oireachtas session, provide the legislative framework for the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). My Department and the Department of Social Protection continue to work closely on the legal, policy and operational issues involved in developing and introducing HAP.
Limerick City and County Council has been identified as the lead authority to drive implementation in the local government sector, including an administrative pilot which is currently underway to test certain elements of the scheme in advance of the legislation being enacted. Following the enactment of the legislation, a statutory pilot phase will commence in Limerick and the six other local authorities identified for participation in Wave 1 of implementing HAP. These are South Dublin County Council, Cork County Council, Waterford City and County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Louth County Council and Monaghan County Council.
The introduction of HAP will bring about a major change in the way in which social housing support is provided in this country. A review of both the administrative and statutory pilot phases will be carried out prior to commencing a wider roll-out on a phased basis to the remaining local authorities commencing in 2015. The review process of both phases will be instrumental in identifying the on-going resource requirements and any necessary changes to the scheme in advance of general roll-out.
482. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received reports from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and-or the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland in relation to the cases put forward by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists; if any determination has been made regarding the case put forward by the CIAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26090/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has recently received correspondence from the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) in relation to their proposal to set up a register for architectural technologists. A proposal has also been received from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in relation to this matter. My Department is currently considering both sets of proposals and expects to be in position to engage with both representative bodies and other relevant stakeholders in relation to this matter shortly. I have not received correspondence from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland in relation to this matter.
483. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons added to the supplementary register in advance of the recent local and European Parliament elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26108/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of persons added to the supplement to the register of electors in advance of the European Parliament and Local elections on 23 May 2014 was 59,758.
484. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which it might be possible to formulate an emergency housing delivery plan with particular reference to the need to address the emerging housing crisis in a structured way incorporating the purchase of the maximum possible number of existing houses, local authority or otherwise ready for occupation or in need of refurbishment in areas where the need is greatest in an attempt to meet the immediate problem in a short time and to make provision for the augmentation of a land bank in order to meet future direct build requirements of circa. 10,000 houses annually over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26147/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if and when it will be possible to introduce an affordable housing plan which might benefit the unprecedented numbers on local authority waiting lists and those not on waiting lists but living in rental accommodation currently costing more than a mortgage for the same property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26148/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the importance of the reintroduction of a major local authority house building programme is recognised and accepted as the obvious means of resolving the ongoing housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26150/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of persons currently on the various local authority housing lists throughout the country; the extent to which rent increases is making it impossible for such families to exist or remain in their homes; if urgent provision will be made to meet their requirements thus preventing a rapid escalation in homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26151/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 484, 485, 487 and 488 together.
On 14 May 2014, the Government published Construction 2020 – A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector . Under Action 1 of the Strategy a National Framework for Housing Supply is to be established on a statutory footing with an annual National Statement of Projected Housing Supply and Demand published every June. I have asked the Housing Agency to take the lead in implementing this Action.
The proper management of all State land is critical. Accordingly, both lands that have been transferred to the Housing Agency and local authority held lands suitable for development will be the first sites considered in any future targeted social housing building programme. My Department’s annual Housing Land Availability Survey (HLAS) gathers information from local authorities to inform the publication of the amount of zoned residential land in their areas that is currently serviced. It is currently estimated that there is in excess of 25,000 hectares of undeveloped residentially zoned land nationally, which equates to a capacity for over 500,000 new homes (based on a national average of 20 units per hectare). This capacity is considered to be sufficient to meet the housing requirements nationally for in excess of the next ten years. In line with the commitments under the Construction 2020 Strategy , a Housing Supply Co-ordination Task Force for Dublin has been established with an immediate focus on addressing supply-related issues in that area.
Under Action 8 of Construction 2020, a Social Housing Strategy is to be published by Q3 2014. To assist in the development of the Social Housing Strategy, the Housing Agency has invited submissions by 31 July 2014. This invitation for submissions is available at the following weblink:http://www.housing.ie/News/Current-News/Invitation-for-Submissions-Preparation-of-a-Social.aspx
Action 9 of Construction 2020 provides that a Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts, which, inter alia, deals with affordable housing and with social housing gain from private development, will be completed by the end of Q2 2014. It is anticipated that any legislative changes required on foot of the review will be incorporated into the General Scheme of a Planning Bill, which is currently in preparation.
I am acutely conscious of the difficulties caused by rising rents and of the problem of sourcing suitable accommodation, especially in Dublin and other urban centres, with growing evidence of increasing rents affecting more vulnerable tenants such as those in receipt of rent supplement. I have asked the PRTB to carry out a focused piece of research that will explore options to address the difficulties being experienced in segments of the private rented sector and to report back to me with policy recommendations in the coming weeks.
On 30 April 2014, the Government approved the publication of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 which when enacted, will provide for the introduction of the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. HAP will provide a new framework for the provision of rental assistance and will, in as much as it can, facilitate the removal of existing barriers to employment by allowing HAP recipients remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment.
The statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments carried out in 2013 show s that there were 89,872 households on local authority waiting lists as at 7 May 2013. The Summary is available on my Department’s website at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf
I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2014 to be in the region of 6,000 new housing units. The number and method of delivery of social housing units in future years is determined in the course of the annual Estimates process and will be informed by the Social Housing Strategy currently in preparation, which will set out clear objectives in respect of delivery over the next five years.
Earlier this year, I signalled a return to modest levels of new social housing construction with an announcement of 1,000 new housing starts over the 2014-2015 period. The Government also recognises the importance of a wider response to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms.
In the 2014 Estimates, funding for housing, at over €587 million, was effectively maintained at 2013 levels. This includes a €50 million capital stimulus to support construction and related programmes, primarily in the housing area, including €30 million to recommence a public house building programme. As part of the Government’s additional €200 million stimulus package for the construction sector, announced in May 2014, a further €50 million is also being provided for social housing delivery.
In March 2014, I announced the approval of some 56 social housing construction projects with an overall value of some €68 million under the Local Authority housing construction programme for 2014-2015. This will deliver 449 new units of accommodation for people on the housing waiting list. €20 million of the May 2014 stimulus announcement will be made available for further new local authority projects, details of which I intend to announce shortly.
Earlier this year I also announced details of a new measure with funding of €15 million which will be invested in bringing 952 vacant and boarded-up local authority houses back into productive use. €20 million of the additional May 2014 stimulus will be used to fund the refurbishment of an additional 1,000 vacant units.
I have also announced details of the allocations to local authorities under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme for the construction and acquisition of housing for persons with specific categories of housing need over the 2014-2015 period. Some €46 million is being set aside for this programme which is intended to deliver in the region of 416 new homes, of which 216 will be new build at a cost of €25 million. €10 million of this is being provided for the immediate acquisition of some 66 properties to address homelessness in the Dublin area.
486. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if and when local authority based annuity non-shared ownership loans might be introduced with a view to meeting the housing needs of those currently in private rented accommodation and awaiting rehousing by the various local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26149/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two types of house purchase loan available from local authorities: standard annuity loans targeted at lower income first time buyers and loans under the Home Choice Loan scheme which are available to qualifying middle income first time buyers.
The terms and conditions governing the operation, including eligibility terms, of annuity mortgages and the Home Choice Loan are set out under various Regulations such as the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009, the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009, and most recently, in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. These are available on my Department’s website: http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/.
489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Ireland’s response to EU or other international agreements in relation to climate change; if a progressive plan has been formulated to address any issues arising with a view to ensuring that no damage is done in the context of economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26152/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to meeting Ireland’s obligations at an EU and international level , as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development and the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill , both of which I published in April of this year. Head 3 of the General Scheme is unequivocal on obligations of the State under EU and international law.
On economic considerations, I refer to the reply to Questions No.135 and 136 of 1 May 2014. In that reply, I outlined that t he National Policy Position clearly identifies competitiveness as a pillar of the fundamental national objective on transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050. The National Policy Position also sets out a number of key issues for consideration in the on-going evolution of national climate policy, including -
(i) the need to ensure that objectives are achieved at the least cost to the national economy and that any measures adopted to achieve those objectives are cost-effective, and do not impose an unreasonable burden on the Exchequer, and
(ii) the need to take advantage of environmentally sustainable economic opportunities both within and outside the State.
The General Scheme of the Bill proposes to provide for incorporation of economic considerations into mitigation and adaptation plans adopted by the Government for the purpose of progressing the national transition agenda.
490. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which it might be expected to simplify the scale and extent of water charges with a view to minimising administrative costs and recognising the impact on householders notwithstanding the need to put in place adequate structure to meet the future requirements in terms of the servicing, transmission, storage and treatment of a reliable domestic water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26153/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
The CER has considerable economic regulatory experience in the energy sector in relation to price setting mechanisms and customer protection. As part of its water regulatory functions, the CER is undertaking a robust analysis of Irish Water’s costs and this will include the use of benchmarking as a method of incentivising efficient business operations. The CER will operate in an open and transparent manner in carrying out its functions and making decisions in relation to the setting of water charges.
The Government has decided, following consideration of proposals in relation to the funding model for Irish Water, to provide a free allowance of 30,000 litres of water supplied and waste water treated per annum for a primary residence on a public supply. The Government has also decided to provide for an additional free allowance to cover the normal usage of water services by every child in their primary residence based on the same qualifying conditions as child benefit, such that water charges will in effect only apply to adults in such households.
The Act requires Irish Water to put in place an investment plan setting out where it considers investment in infrastructure is necessary for the effective performance of its functions. In developing investment plans, Irish Water are required to take account of a range of other policy considerations including river basin management plans and local area plans. Irish Water has published its Proposed Capital In vestment Plan for 2014 to 2016 and it is available on its website ( www.water.ie).
Irish Water are proposing to prioritise investment where it can deliver the most urgently needed improvements in drinking water quality, leakage, water availability, wastewater compliance, efficiencies and customer service. Irish Water propose s to deliver or progress over 380 projects under the Plan which has been submitted to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) for consideration in the context of setting water charges.
491. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which rainfall and drainage requirements will be taken into account in the determination of overall sources of water supply in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26154/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the sources for future water supply requirements in the Eastern region have been identified and provision put in place to make such supply available in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26156/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 492 together.
Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for the operation of water services including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. The further progression of all water services capital projects and issues pertaining to them is now a matter for Irish Water.
Irish Water has recently published its proposed Capital Investment Plan 2014 – 2016 and this is available to download from the Irish Water website, www.water.ie. In addition, the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to prepare a Water Services Strategic Plan. The water services strategic plan will set out the objectives of Irish Water in respect of the 25-year period following the approval of the plan and the means by which it proposes to achieve those objectives. In preparing a water services strategic plan, Irish Water will have regard to proper planning and sustainable development, ensuring, as far as practicable, that the plan is consistent with the National Spatial Strategy, regional planning guidelines and river basin management plans. The plans must also have regard to a range of other policy considerations including housing strategies, strategic development zones and water quality plans.
Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
493. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which various local authorities have received adequate provision to meet the disabled persons housing adaption grant requirements in the current year; the numbers awaiting approval throughout the various local authorities countrywide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26157/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 16 January 2014, I announced capital allocations to local authorities amounting to €38.4m under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The schemes are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. I have increased the level of funding available for the grants by 12% in 2014. Every local authority has increased funding for grants compared to their initial allocation for 2013. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various grant measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
In January 2014, some changes to the terms and conditions of the grant schemes were notified to local authorities. These changes are intended to spread the benefits of the schemes as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in their operation. Compared to 2013, when 7,011 households were supported under the schemes, I expect an additional 800 households will benefit under the schemes in 2014. I am aware that the grant measures are heavily subscribed across all local authority areas so it will be important that local authorities prioritise those applications where the most urgent need exists.
494. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which part-time or whole-time fire services currently exist throughout the country; the extent to which it is expected to develop the service in the future on a part-time or whole-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26158/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 2001. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy, provision of training support, issue of guidance on operational and other related matters and the provision of capital funding.
The provision of fire services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach which involves an analysis of the nature of the fire hazards and the incidence and extent of fires which occur as well as the fire protection measures in place. The fire services in the cities of Dublin, Cork, and Limerick are staffed on a full-time basis; Galway, Waterford, Drogheda and Dundalk have a combined full-time and retained service; while fire services in all other communities are provided by the retained system, which operates on a call-out basis when required.
In February 2013, I published Keeping Communities safe (KCS), which , as national policy, is intended to keep fire safety and fire services in Ireland in line with international best practice. KCS includes, inter alia, the rationalisation of structures to deliver effective fire services. This entails fire services remaining within local authorities, but service delivery is to be reshaped from the current 30 fire services to 21 – 14 single service delivery units and 7 shared services.
KCS is based on a risk management approach, which addresses the critical elements of fire prevention and fire protection within buildings a s well as response. In that vein, each fire service is currently undertaking an initial risk categorisation process for its functional area. In order to provide a comprehensive and effective fire service to the community, Section 26 of the Fire Services Act provides that local authorities adopt fire and emergency operations plans, indicating the provision made in respect of organisation, appliances, equipment, fire stations, training, operational procedure and any such matters as may be relevant. The risk categorisation process referred to above will help inform local decision making in this regard.
495. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the changes that have been made to the Defence Forces in the past five years; the changes he envisages in the Defence Forces role working alongside An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25323/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe priority in recent years has been to ensure that the Defence Forces can continue to meet all operational requirements within a reduced resource envelope. This has entailed a number of significant measures which includes further rationalisation of Army Barracks and the recent re-organisation of the Defence Forces, both Permanent and Reserve. Arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 9,500 personnel. Resulting from the revised strength ceiling, a major re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force was initiated. Key aspects of the reorganisation included the consolidation of three under-strength Army Brigades into two full strength Brigades, the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational units.
A major reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) was implemented in 2013. The RDF is now organised alongside the Permanent Defence Force within a more efficient single force structure.
A White Paper on Defence is due to be completed and submitted to Government for approval later this year. Working Groups comprising of civil and military representatives are considering future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet projected future operational requirements, including requirements to aid the civil power. This work will underpin recommendations regarding defence provision for the next decade. I do not intend to pre-empt or second guess the outcome of the White Paper at this stage.
496. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the total amount of capital spending on construction projects carried out by his Department and by bodies operating under the responsibility of his Department since 2008 and to date in 2014; if he will provide the information on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25536/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra497. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the amount of the €8 million designated to his Department for direct Exchequer capital funding, according to the Government Estimates for 2014, that is expected to go towards construction related projects; if he will list the projects; if he will provide an update on any of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25551/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together.
The Department is engaged in an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces.
The capital building programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings and facilities. In addition to the outlay on construction contracts, the cost of design team services are also charged to the building programme.
For 2014, the Department received an allocation of €8m of direct Exchequer capital funding. A further €900k is available as a capital carryover/deferred surrender amount from 2013. Of the total amount of direct Exchequer provision available for 2014, €6.14m has been allocated for construction projects.
In addition, funding is being provided by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, from the proceeds of the disposal of the National Lottery licence, for the development of the Military Archives project at Cathal Brugha.
A breakdown of capital spending on construction projects carried out by the Department between 2008 and to date in 2014, including for design team services, is provided in the following table.
Capital Expenditure
|
Year |
€ (Inc VAT) |
|
2008 |
26,095,064 |
|
2009 |
14,404,463 |
|
2010 |
10,829,620 |
|
2011 |
9,751,714 |
|
2012 |
5,528,258 |
|
2013 |
5,939,511 |
|
2014 (Jan – June) |
1,572,022* |
* This figure includes €13,938 in respect of Design Team costs for the Military Archives Facility at Cathal Brugha Barracks.
The estimated expenditure on the main construction works contracts being progressed in 2014 is as follows:
|
Project |
Military Location |
2014 Estimate (Inc VAT) |
Status |
|
Upgrade/Replace Ordnance Storage Buildings (Phase 1) |
Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare |
€2,514,000 |
Ongoing – Substantial completion by end 2014 |
|
Refurbishment of North Accommodation Block, |
McKee Barracks, Dublin |
€1,314,000 |
Ongoing – Substantial completion by end 2014 |
|
Administration facilities upgrade |
McKee Barracks, Dublin |
€590,000 |
Ongoing – Substantial completion by end 2014 |
|
Refurbishment of Cookhouse/Dining Hall |
Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin |
€290,500 |
Out to tender |
|
Energy usage monitoring system |
Various locations |
€157,000 |
Ongoing – Substantial completion by end 2014 |
|
Range upgrade, including Automated Marking System ( AMS) fit-out |
Oranmore, Galway |
€137,400 |
Commissioned 2014 |
|
Military Archive |
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin |
€340,000 |
Ongoing due for completion in 2015 |
