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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 24 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 378-399

Wastewater Treatment

Ceisteanna (378)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

378. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the need to ensure that Ireland has a reliable, high-quality water supply, if there is sufficient guidance for An Bord Pleanála to ensure that every planning review which includes wastewater treatment is considered by a board which has adequate expertise to assess the proposals or obtains independent outside expert advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26811/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am satisfied that An Bord Pleanála has adequate in-house expertise to assess the wastewater treatment element of development consent proposals. In addition, it is also open to the Board to source such external expertise as is deemed necessary in relation to specific cases.

Departmental Functions

Ceisteanna (379)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

379. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of freedom of information and AEI regulations, if his Department or any other State body has provided any advice or guidance to bodies such as An Bord Pleanála to set out the way to handle contemporaneous notes taken in the consideration of cases or during board meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26812/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department does not publish guidelines in relation to the Freedom of Information Regulations. Advice and guidance in that regard is issued by the Department of Expenditure and Public Reform's Freedom of Information Central Policy Unit and may be accessed on the website, www.foi.gov.ie.

My Department has published guidelines in relation to the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations and these have been circulated widely to other Government Departments and public bodies and are also available to the public generally on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. These guidelines do not go into specific detail on the handling of contemporaneous note taking. My Department also deals with a number of informal queries from public bodies on AIE, but there is no record of a query having been made in relation to the taking of contemporaneous notes in the consideration of cases or during board meetings.

Burial Grounds

Ceisteanna (380)

James Bannon

Ceist:

380. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will become available to acquire and develop land to extend the existing graveyard at Clondra village, County Longford. [26814/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department does not provide direct funding or grant assistance for the provision of graveyards, which is a matter for local authorities.

Water Meters Installation

Ceisteanna (381)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

381. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the submission by a local residents' association regarding water charges (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26822/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I intend to use my powers under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 to issue a Water Charges Policy Direction to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in relation to a number of matters relating to domestic water charges, including any conditions attached to the Government funding to be provided to Irish Water. As required by the Act, a draft of the policy direction issued to the CER and the Joint Oireachtas Committee for the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and was published in Iris Oifigiúil. The draft direction was also published on my Department's website for public consultation. The closing date for receipt of submissions on the draft direction was 16 June 2014.

I can confirm that a submission was received from the Marino Residents Association before the closing date. All submissions received are currently being reviewed in my Department and I intend to issue the policy direction to the CER after the completion of this review. The approach to charging will be outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan to be submitted by it to the CER in line with the provisions of the Act. The CER will be responsible for approving the water charges plan, following public consultation, which will set the approaches to charging domestic and non-domestic customers. In making its decision on the approval or otherwise of the first water charges plan, the CER will take into account the policy direction issued by me.

The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water and assigned the company the necessary powers to allow it to undertake the water metering programme.  Of the estimated 1.35m domestic properties connected to public water supplies, approximately 300,000 properties will not be metered as part of the current phase, due to the cost or technical difficulty of doing so. These properties would include apartment blocks, other multi-occupancy buildings and houses with shared service connections.  Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that the current phase of the metering programme in the Marino area was substantially completed in December 2013 and January 2014. Significant proportions of the dwellings were found to be shared services and were not metered under this phase of the programme. While Irish Water cannot confirm an exact percentage, the report from the metering contractors is that the incidence of shared service connections in the Marino area was about 4 in 5 households.

Irish Water commissioned a study on possible approaches to metering properties that are not part of the current metering programme, including apartments and properties with shared service connections. This report was recently submitted to my Department and the recommendations of the report are being considered.

Housing Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (382)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

382. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a ruling in place limiting the total help available to persons under the grant schemes administered by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26847/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the terms of the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which is administered by the local authorities, grants are available to assist households to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. Three separate schemes are available:

(i) Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (HAG) which assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Grants of up to €30,000 are available for works including the provision of access ramps, stair lifts, accessible toilet and shower facilities, wheelchair access and extensions;

(ii) Mobility Aids Grant Scheme (MAG) is available to fast track grants of up to €6,000 to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works;

(iii) Housing Aid for Older People Scheme (HAOP) provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant-eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating, cleaning, painting etc.

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.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (383)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

383. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the plans he requested from relevant Departments and agencies on climate change; and if these will be published prior to the publication of the promised climate change Bill. [26864/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I published the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development and the General Scheme of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill in April of this year. The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy over the period to 2050. Proposed statutory authority for the plans is set out in the General Scheme of the Bill.

In anticipation of the planned primary legislation, a National Low-Carbon Roadmap to 2050 is now being developed. Electricity generation, the built environment, transport and agriculture have been identified as key sectors in the national transition agenda. The Departments with direct responsibility for these sectors are preparing the necessary sectoral elements for incorporation into the national roadmap. My intention is to release a draft of the national roadmap, together with a draft Strategic Environment Assessment, for a substantial period of open consultation later this year. I expect the sectoral input to be finalised having regard to that timeline.

I would like to see the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill published and progressed through the legislative process as quickly as possible. In the event of any unforeseen delay on the legislation, I will press ahead with issuing the draft national roadmap for public consultation.

Community Development Initiatives

Ceisteanna (384)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

384. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the chaos surrounding the rolling out of the social inclusion and community activation programme; if he has received reports of the insufficient information supplied to voluntary and community organisations currently delivering local community development programmes; if he is aware that this process and the uncertainty generated thereby are causing grave damage to local and community development across the country; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; if he will reconsider his decision to tender the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26903/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) currently being established in all local authority areas will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.

My Department's Local and Community Development Programme is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme having officially ended at the end of 2013 is being implemented by the Local Development Companies (LDCs) on a transitional basis for 2014 pending the roll out of a new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) in January 2015. SICAP is one of my key priorities and in accordance with the Public Spending Code, best practice internationally, legal advice and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of the services to clients, the Programme will be subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway. My Department has already been involved in a high level of engagement with the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) and other key stakeholders in relation to the new Programme. A number of consultation events were held, and an on-line survey on the SICAP Framework was conducted to give all interested parties an opportunity to input to the new Programme framework.

I am satisfied that the procurement process underway is in line with best practice and that the procurement documentation on e-Tenders contains all the relevant information on the process. I look forward to the outcome of the process and the roll out of SICAP in January 2015.

Public Procurement Regulations

Ceisteanna (385, 386, 387)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

385. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the directive he cites, 2004/18/EU, to justify the tendering of the social inclusion and community activation programme was repealed before the notice of the tender was issued; if the tendering of the programme still has a safe legal basis; if he will outline the nature of that legal basis; in view of the legal uncertainty, if he will abandon the tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26905/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

386. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of the tendering of the social inclusion and community activation programme, if he has read European Directive 2014/24/EU; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is now the current law on public procurement in Ireland; if he has read preamble 7, which sets down that the directive is without prejudice to the freedom of member, national, regional and local authorities to provide, commission and finance services that pursue public policy objectives and specifies that the directive does not apply to systems of grant aid, in particular in the social field; if he has read preamble 114 which sets down that member states and public authorities remain free to organise social services in such a way that does not entail the conclusion of public contracts; if he has contrasted these preambles with his earlier statements to Dáil Éireann that he was legally obliged to tender the programme; if he will, in view of current European law, abandon the tendering of the social inclusion and community activation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26906/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

387. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland is the only country in the European Union which has put its national local community development programme or analogous programme out to public tender; the reason this is necessary in Ireland but not in any other member state; if he asked for or commissioned any advice, impact statement or study as to the consequences of that decision; if he will make any such papers available to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26907/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 to 387, inclusive, together.

The proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government seek to position local government "as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably". As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authority areas.  These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis, including the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).  They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.

My Department's Local and Community Development Programme is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years with funding of €281m over that period. It is being implemented by the Local Development Companies (LDCs) on a transitional basis for 2014 with a budget of €47m pending the roll out of the new SICAP. In accordance with the Public Spending Code, best practice internationally, legal advice and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, the Programme is subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway. All proposals received will be assessed in accordance with the assessment criteria notified with the tender documentation and the contract or contracts will be awarded on the basis of that assessment. Pobal is assisting my Department and the LCDCs in the preparation of the tender documentation and the assessment criteria.

My Department is obliged to adhere to the rules under Directive 2004/18/EC. Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement comes into effect on 18th April 2016. I am satisfied that the process underway takes account of all recent developments in the law of procurement.

Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 347.

Housing Data

Ceisteanna (389)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

389. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a table (details supplied) will be updated to include 2014 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27030/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Relevant data relating to January and February 2014 are available from the CSO and from my Department's website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15293,en.xls. Relevant data returns have not been received yet for March, April and May from a number of local authorities, and my Department is working closely with the Local Government Management Agency to ensure that data in respect of these months is provided to enable the up to date data to be published as soon as possible.

Community Development Initiatives

Ceisteanna (390)

John Halligan

Ceist:

390. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following on from the recent announcement by him that the proposed social inclusion community activation programme will replace the current community development programme, if he will consider permitting national organisations tender for work as this may have a detrimental effect on local community groups who currently operate on a national collective level; alternatively if he will commit to ring fencing funding locally for groups at a level at which they have been operating successfully under the community development programmes for the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27204/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government seek to position local government “as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably”.

As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authority areas.  These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis, including the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).  They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.

The SICAP is one of my key priorities and its budget for next year will be decided in the 2015 Estimates process. In accordance with the Public Spending Code, best practice internationally, legal advice and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, the Programme is subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway. The public procurement process is a competitive process that is open to Local Development Companies, other not-for-profit community groups, commercial firms and national organisations, that can provide the services to be tendered for to deliver the new Programme. Joint applications are encouraged and organisations of varying sizes (for example smaller organisations working in consortia with larger organisations) are invited to submit joint applications. Applicants at stage one of the tendering process must demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the delivery of services in the Lot(s) applied for.

I am satisfied that the procurement process underway is in line with best practice and that the procurement documentation on e-Tenders contains all the relevant information on the process. I look forward to the outcome of the process and the roll out of SICAP in January 2015.

Nitrates Action Programme Implementation

Ceisteanna (391)

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

391. Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the regulations regarding the spreading of organic fertiliser close to a water source; his plans to change the minimum exclusion zone from the bore holes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27237/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Nitrates Directive and Ireland's 3rd National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers. In order to protect drinking water sources from the risk of pollution, the Regulations lay down general minimum set back distances around abstraction points used for the abstraction of drinking water for human consumption. Land spreading of organic fertilisers (e.g. manures and slurries) is not permitted within those set back areas. The set-back distance requirements are 200 metres from an abstraction point for a water scheme supplying 100m3 or more of water per day or serving 500 or more persons, 100 metres for an abstraction point for a water scheme supplying 10m3 or more of water per day or serving 50 or more persons, and 25 metres from any borehole, spring or well used for the abstraction of water for human consumption.

These setback distances can be reduced to 30 metres (and 15 metres in the case of small abstractions) where the local authority determines that the reduced distance does not give rise to a risk to the water supply and a potential danger to human health. This requires the local authority to undertake a technical assessment of conditions in the vicinity of the abstraction point, taking into account soil conditions, land-spreading pressures in the area, the type of drinking water abstraction, the available water quality evidence and the likely risk to the drinking water supply source. The Environmental Protection Agency has provided guidance to assist local authorities in this regard.

Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme was substantially reviewed in 2013 in a process that included public consultation. No changes to set back distances from drinking water sources were made on foot of this review. The Programme will be reviewed again in 2017.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (392)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

392. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27242/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

National policy in relation to residential densities in urban areas is set out in the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (Cities, Towns and Villages), which was published by my Department in May 2009 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The objective of the guidelines is to ensure high quality sustainable development through facilitating:

- quality homes and neighbourhoods;

- places where people want to live, work and raise families; and

- places that work in relation the provision of infrastructure.

The guidelines set out a broad policy context for the achievement of sustainable development by balancing the need to ensure the highest standards of residential design, while at the same time ensuring efficient use of scarce land and infrastructural resources and the avoidance of urban sprawl. In particular, the guidelines set out a range of densities appropriate to different location types, from lower densities in the range of 15-20 dwellings per hectare at the edges of smaller towns and villages for private site type developments to densities in the range of 20-40 dwellings per hectare in more centrally or edge of centre sites in smaller towns, through to densities in the range of a minimum of 50 dwellings per hectare in larger urban areas along public transport corridors. The guidelines also place a heavy emphasis on the importance of public infrastructure such as public transport, community facilities and sports facilities as densities increase towards more central urban locations, and of the development plan process in achieving effective outcomes in securing sustainable urban development.

An Bord Pleanála is required to take the guidelines into account in the performance of its statutory planning functions. The comments of the Chairperson at the launch of the Annual Report of the Board for 2013 were particularly focussed on the future sustainable development of the Greater Dublin Area and are broadly in line with the national policy on urban residential densities outlined above. In this regard, it is considered in the overall context of the development of new housing in the Greater Dublin Area, and indeed in the other major urban centres, that the quality of urban construction and house design is consistent with best international standards in order to ensure the highest sustainable living patterns into the future.

Electoral Reform

Ceisteanna (393)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

393. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the annual door-to-door canvass method of voter registration is outdated and inaccurate and if an online, rolling register to replace the outdated, current method of voter registration should be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27243/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. There are no plans for the introduction of an online, rolling register to replace the existing arrangements.

The Government is committed to the establishment of an Electoral Commission to subsume some of the functions of existing bodies and my Department, including provisions in respect of the electoral register. Matters associated with the registration process including recommendations for change to the legislative provisions or to the arrangements for voter registration would be appropriate for consideration by the Electoral Commission.

Private Rented Accommodation Provision

Ceisteanna (394)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

394. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the increase in young professionals and lack of options for student housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27254/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I presume that the question is referring primarily to the shortage of suitable, affordable, rental accommodation for students and young professionals, particularly in some urban centres. The most recent data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) Rent Index and from the Daft.ie Rental Report show the extent of rising rents, particularly in Dublin and the major cities. In Dublin, rents for houses increased by 6.7% annually, and for apartments the figure was 10.3%.

The fundamental reason behind the rise in rents is a lack of supply. In 2006, some 93,419 housing units were completed across the country, 19,470 of them in Dublin. In 2013, a total of 8,301 homes were completed nationally with just 1,360 in Dublin. The volume of activity in residential building and construction remains less than half of the volume seen in the year 2000. Increasing both public and private housing supply is a critical issue and the Government's Construction Strategy, published on 14 May 2014, is a blueprint for a properly functioning and sustainable construction sector. It provides for a strategic approach to the provision of housing based on real and measured demand and addresses the full range of relevant issues including the planning process, financing, access to mortgage finance and the construction workforce.

Resolution of the housing supply situation is the key element in restoring stability to the market but I recognise that the provision of additional units of housing takes time. Consequently, I have asked the Private Residential Tenancies Board 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 due to rising rents and to report back to me with policy recommendations before the end of June. My goal is to achieve stability and sustainability in the market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (395)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

395. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made on the review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended in 2002; his views on the need to ensure retention of Part V as an essential option in providing housing to the large numbers of people waiting for social housing and in overcoming social segregation; the role he envisages not-for-profit housing bodies will play in Part V provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27261/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As a result of the economic downturn there has been an associated significant decline in construction activity. As the extent of social housing gain from Part V is directly related to private housing construction, the current situation is that Part V is delivering little in terms of social housing. I am committed to the principle of a social housing gain from private development but to maximise that gain we need a properly functioning and sustainable construction sector. I believe that the Part V mechanism has the potential to again be a significant contributor to social housing in the context of a recovering housing market.

The Government's recently published Construction 2020 – A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector aims to build a competitive, innovative, and sustainable construction sector. Action 9 of the strategy provides that the review of Part V will be completed in Q2 of 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.

While the local authorities will continue to have the lead role in addressing social housing need, in their capacity as statutory housing authorities, the growing role of the not-for-profit sector, as represented by the Approved Housing Bodies, and other potential investors must also be further developed. My intention is that the Social Housing Strategy, provided for in Construction 2020 and now in preparation, will be both challenging and innovative, and will provide the basis for an enhanced approach to social housing provision in Ireland.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (396)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

396. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recently published report (details supplied) on the future of social housing; his views on the model of social housing provision proposed in the report; and if the recommendations contained therein may be included in the Government’s social housing strategy due to be published in quarter 3 of 2014. [27276/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am aware of, and I very much welcome, the report as a timely input into the development of a Social Housing Strategy. The recommendations contained in the report will be taken into consideration in the context of the development of the Strategy.  Submissions in relation to the strategy have been publicly sought and may be made up until the end of July through the Housing Agency. Fuller details are available on the Agency's website, (www.housing.ie). It is expected that the Strategy, which was announced in Construction 2020, will be published following consideration by Government in Quarter 3 of this year.

Seniors Alert Scheme

Ceisteanna (397)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

397. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding provided for personal alarms for the elderly in the estimates for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the amount actually paid out in each of the years and the unused allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27373/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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 following table outlines the allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme and the expenditure from 2011 to the end of May 2014.

Year

Allocation

Expenditure

2011

€2.35m

€2.47 m

2012

€2.35m

€2.52 m

2013

€2.35m

€2.32 m

2014 to end May

€2.35m

€612,385

Air Accident Investigations

Ceisteanna (398)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

398. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will, as a matter of urgency, meet with the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27307/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I refer the Deputy to Question No. 1 which was answered on Wednesday last, 18 June, 2014 by my colleague Minister of State, Paul Kehoe, T.D., in which he stated the following:

At the most recent meeting held with the family and both the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff on 6 June last, an approach to address concerns raised by the family was discussed. This matter is currently being progressed following on from this meeting. In this context the Taoiseach, in his role as Minister for Defence, has not arranged to meet the family.

On this basis, my position remains unchanged. I would like to finish by once again extending my sympathies to the families of the deceased.

Defence Forces Records

Ceisteanna (399)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

399. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Defence his plans for a further recruitment drive in the Defence Forces later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26838/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 May 2014, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,089, comprising, 7,324 Army, 762 Air Corps and, 1,003 Naval Service personnel.

Targeted recruitment has been, and is currently, taking place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the ongoing deployable capacity of the Defence Forces on operations. To this end, a new general service recruitment competition was launched in March 2014. From this competition the Defence Forces plan to induct up to 400 personnel to the Permanent Defence Force (both Army and Navy) and up to 500 personnel to the Reserve Defence Force (both Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve). It is also planned to award 40 Cadetships and to recruit up to 20 Apprentice Trainee Technicians to the Air Corps.

Targeted recruitment will continue in 2015 from the new recruitment panels to be formed from the current competition for the Permanent Defence Force. It is planned that these panels will remain in place until they are exhausted in 2015. In relation to recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force, it is expected that panels currently in place may be exhausted this year. There are no plans for a further recruitment campaign in the Defence Forces this year.

With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

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