Tuesday, 1 Jul 2014

Written Answers Nos. 301-320

Architectural Qualifications

Ceisteanna (301, 329)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

301. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond positively and promptly to the proposal to operate a voluntary register for architectural technologists in Ireland with a view to it becoming statutory subject to ministerial approval, to allow those competent architectural technologists on the register to act as both the design certifier and assigned certifier alongside registered architects, building surveyors and engineers under the BC(A)R. [27817/14]

Jim Daly

Ceist:

329. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has given further consideration to the status of Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists members being recognised as assigned certifiers; if can assist them further in any way to allow them to certify works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28288/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 329 together.

It is important, in the first instance, to note that inclusion on the statutory registers of building professionals is not confined to the members of the professional bodies who act as registration bodies. Routes to registration already exist for individuals who are competent to design buildings and who have been doing so in an unregistered capacity for a significant number of years. I understand that each of the three registration bodies responsible for the registration of architects, building surveyors and chartered engineers has seen an increase in the level of applications for registration as a result of the new opportunities now available to registered construction professionals as a result of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

A variety of routes to registration exist and Ireland is unique in providing mechanisms for those who can demonstrate that they have acquired the requisite experience and competence in the design of buildings, to become registered. This would enable a person to sign statutory certificates of compliance as provided for under the new regulations.

My Department has recently given preliminary consideration to the proposals put forward in recent weeks by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists and by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland for separate voluntary registers of architectural technologists with a view to these registers being placed on a statutory footing at a future date. Both bodies have been invited to meet with my Department later this month in order to discuss how both sets of proposals for the registration and regulation of Architectural Technologists can be progressed.

Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (302)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

302. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27830/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

The mortgage allowance scheme is administered by the local authorities and my Department has no function in relation to the determination of individual applications. However, my Department has been in contact with Cork County Council in relation to this case and understand that the Council are to review the application.

Building Regulations Application

Ceisteanna (303)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

303. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the commencement notices are no longer being published at local authorities for viewing by members of the public; his plans to rectify same by making the centralised database of commencement notices available for inspection online; if he is further planning to include a mechanism to allow an opt-out for those not wishing to have their information used by suppliers and marketing companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27832/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Building Control Regulations 1997 to 2014 specify that a local authority acting as a building control authority shall keep a public register of building control activity which will include, among other things, brief particulars of the building works being undertaken, the name and address of the owner, and details of various persons assigned to build, design and certify the works.  Prior to 1 March 2014 each authority was responsible for maintaining its own register relating to building activity in its own functional area.  The introduction of the new online Building Control Management System (BCMS) on that date facilitates the administration of the public register requirement by electronic means and dispenses with the need for local authorities to maintain a physical register for inspection at their offices during office hours .   It is expected that each local authority will now fulfil its statutory obligation by extracting the relevant information from the BCMS database and publishing on its website a register of building control activity relevant to its functional area.

It is understood that the provisions of the Data Protection Acts, which are outside the scope of my remit as nister, place clear limits on the use of publicly available data for marketing or other purposes.  It is further understood that third parties who propose to use such information in this way are themselves considered to be data controllers for the purposes of the Data Protection Acts.  Section 2(8) of the Data Protection Acts provides that where a data controller anticipates that personal data will be processed or used for the purposes of direct marketing, including personal data that is required by law to be made available to the public, the data controller shall inform the persons to whom the data relates so that they may object, by means of a request in writing to the data controller and free of charge, to such use.

Breaches of Data Protection legislation are a matter for the Data Protection Commissioner who has the power to investigate such matters and, where appropriate, prosecute offences under the Acts.

Water Supply

Ceisteanna (304, 305)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

304. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the protocol for dealing with disruptions to water supplies; the procedure in place by Irish Water to inform householders as to the measures that have been taken to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27842/14]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

305. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal received a call from Irish Water asking if their water supply issue was resolved three days after they had been notified by the householder that their water supply was non-existent; the reason for the delay in contacting the householder and his views on whether this is acceptable for Irish Water; and if he will take steps to ensure that there is an appropriate procedure in place. [27843/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The protocol for dealing with disruptions to water supplies is an operational matter for Irish Water and one in which I have no function.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 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 Act requires the CER to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of the customers of Irish Water. This is similar to the CER’s statutory role in respect of the gas and electricity sectors.

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 an email to [e-mail] or by telephone on 1890 278 278.

Noise Pollution Legislation

Ceisteanna (306)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

306. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding noise pollution legislation and the issue of noisy neighbours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27862/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise from any premises, processes and works. The Environment Section of the relevant City or County Council is the appropriate contact point for reporting a noise nuisance in this regard. In addition, under section 108 of the EPA Act, where any noise is so loud, so continuous, so repeated, of such duration or pitch or occurring at such times as to give reasonable cause for annoyance, then it is open to any person, or group of persons, to bring a complaint to the District Court. The Court may order the person or body making, causing or responsible for the noise to take the measures necessary to reduce the noise to a specified level or to take specified measures for the prevention or limitation of the noise and the person or body concerned must comply with that order.

The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation. A public information leaflet, outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance, is available to download from my Department’s website at the following address: www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Noise/.

The Court may take into account whether the person alleged to have caused a noise nuisance took all reasonable care to prevent or limit the noise by using facilities, practices and methods of operation that are suitable for that purpose.

In the case of noise nuisance being caused by individuals in private rented accommodation, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 imposes minimum statutory obligations on landlords and tenants of private residential tenancies.  All privately-rented properties must be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).  One can check if a property is registered by contacting the PRTB; contact details can be found on the PRTB website: www.prtb.ie/contact-us.

Tenant obligations under the 2004 Act include an obligation not to engage, or allow visitors to engage, in anti-social behaviour which is defined as including persistent noise that interferes with the peaceful occupation of other dwellings in the neighbourhood.  The Act also imposes an obligation on landlords to enforce the tenant obligations. There is provision in the Act for third parties who are adversely affected by a failure on the part of a landlord to enforce tenant obligations to refer a complaint to the PRTB in accordance with the procedures in the Act.  However, if an alternative legal course of action is already being pursued, then the PRTB cannot intervene.

In the case of noise nuisance being caused by local authority tenants, a person should contact the relevant local authority.  The tenancy agreement, which is the legal basis of the relationship between the local authority and its tenants, will generally contain provisions in relation to the type of behaviour that is acceptable, and that which is not. A local authority is empowered, under Section 62 of the Housing Act 1966, to initiate proceedings to secure an eviction where a tenant has breached the conditions of the tenancy agreement.

Leader Programmes Expenditure

Ceisteanna (307)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

307. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the controls that will be in place at local level to ensure that allocation of the €250 million Leader funding secured as part of the rural development programme will be targeted, cost-effective and efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27881/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

LEADER, a community led local development (CLLD) approach to rural development, has formed part of the policy framework for rural development in Ireland since its inception in the 1990s. In the 2007-2013 programming period, LEADER was the main method of the delivery of interventions aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas and supporting the diversification of the rural economy through the design and implementation of Local Development Strategies (LDS). It has proven to be an effective tool for supporting the economic and social development of rural communities by providing resources for communities to support their own development.

The continuation of the LEADER approach in rural areas is critical for the future development of rural Ireland. In this context it is the responsibility of my Department to ensure that all funding allocated under the LEADER elements of the RDP is compliant with the regulatory framework and is expended on the basis of sound financial management practices. My Department is currently working on developing the systems required to ensure that the funding is allocated and spent in the most effective way at a local level for the 2014-2020 period.

To begin, there will be a two-step Local Action Group selection process that will ensure that all entities interested in delivering a LDS has the required capacity to do so. Once the strategy is in place, successful delivery entities will be required to put in place a series of systems outlined by my Department to support their effective and efficient delivery of the LEADER element of the RDP. These systems will include effective decision making practices to ensure that funding is targeted to maximise its impact. Transparent governance arrangements, sound financial management practices and comprehensive appeals mechanisms will also be required in order to support the efficient and effective delivery of LEADER interventions. These systems will be subject to on-going monitoring by my Department and other entities, including audit authorities, to ensure compliance.

I believe that the comprehensive nature of the management systems that will be put in place to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the RDP 2014-2020 will ensure that the funding will be targeted, cost effective and efficient.

Environmental Protection Agency Remit

Ceisteanna (308)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

308. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Environmental Protection Agency requirements for percolation tests will be reviewed in view of the advancement in sewerage treatment systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27884/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Site assessment and testing, including percolation testing and water table testing, have been an important part of planning and development administration for many years and are essential elements of the planning application process for new developments , designed to ensure that development on suitable sites can proceed while protecting the environment.  The EPA’s 2009 Code of Practice: Waste Water Treatment Systems Serving Single Houses re-states that where the treatment of wastewater from single houses is to be followed by discharge to ground, percolation tests are required to determine the suitability (or otherwise) of the soil/subsoil for those discharges.  The advancements in treatment technologies do not alter the hydraulic nature of the soils.

It should be noted that the Code of Practice provides that where a site is deemed unsuitable for discharge to ground, alternative options, such as innovative designs of proprietary wastewater treatment systems, may be discussed with the relevant planning authority.  The Code of Practice also provides that innovative products and technologies may be used in Ireland if they have the appropriate certification, are fit for purpose and the conditions in which they are used, and meet the performance requirements of the Code.  In this regard, the EPA under its STRIVE (Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for the Environment) research programme has funded 3 years of research and analysis into, inter alia, evapo-transpiration systems for use with on-site wastewater treatment systems in low permeability soils and subsoils. The final report on this research will be published by the EPA in the near future. The EPA has indicated that the Code of Practice will be subject to on-going review with regard to emerging on-site wastewater treatment system technologies.  The frequency and nature of such reviews are matters for the EPA.

Water Charges Exemptions

Ceisteanna (309, 311)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

309. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water and the CER are considering introducing any mitigating measures in terms of the water charges tariff structures for consumers who have expended large sums of money on systems to deal with the impact of hard water on household appliances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27913/14]

Damien English

Ceist:

311. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department will make recommendations to the CER and-or Irish Water that additional living costs, borne by persons living in hard water areas, are accounted for and reflected in the water charge they incur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27928/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 311 together.

With 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 each customer 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.

Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean. Water which is wholesome and clean is defined as water which is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or concentrations constitute a potential danger to human health, and which meets the quality standards specified in the Schedule to the Regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supervisory authority with responsibility for monitoring Irish Water’s compliance with these Regulations. In the event of non-compliance with the quality standards set out in the Regulations, the water supplier will investigate the cause in consultation with the EPA and, if a potential risk to human health exists, with the Health Service Executive, to ensure that the appropriate remedial action is taken. This may include the prohibition or the restriction (e.g. a boil water notice) of the supply by the water supplier. The EPA publishes an annual report on the quality of drinking water supplies in Ireland, which sets out details on the numbers of water restrictions and boil water notices. Copies of these reports are available in the Oireachtas library or from the EPA website (http://www.epa.ie).

I intend to use my powers under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 to issue a Water Charges Policy Direction to the CER in relation to a number of matters relating to domestic water charges including where the quality of water services provided by Irish Water to customers is impaired or where services are reduced or restricted. Neither hard water nor the substances associated with hard water, such as lime, calcium and magnesium, require the restriction of a supply.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires the CER to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of the customers of Irish Water. This is similar to the CER’s statutory role in respect of the gas and electricity sectors. I fully expect that the CER will consider compliance with statutory standards by Irish Water in the discharge of its functions.

Septic Tank Registration Scheme

Ceisteanna (310)

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

310. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options available for late septic tank registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27923/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

On 25 June 2012 , I signed the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems ( Registration ) Regulations 2012 , prescribing 1 February 2013 as the date by which householders must register their domestic wastewater treatment systems. The only exception to this is where construction or installation of a treatment system takes place after that date. In such cases, the owner of the premises connected to the treatment system is obliged to register within 90 days of the connection of the premises to the treatment system.

Registration facilities have been available since 26 June 2012 and have been comprehensively publicised. Owners of domestic wastewater systems who have not yet registered may still do so and there are no late payment fees payable (but the discount for early registration no longer applies). Registration can be completed via the website www.protectourwater.ie or in any local authority office.

Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 309.

EU Directives

Ceisteanna (312)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

312. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the repeal of EU Directive 2004/18/EC before the tender for the social inclusion and community activation programme was issued; and if he will outline the legal basis for the issuing of the tender. [27958/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

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 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.

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.

Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding

Ceisteanna (313, 314, 328)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

313. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a decision has been made to allow private companies to tender for the provision of local and community developments programmes here when the practice in other countries across the European Union is not to have the provision of similar such programmes open to public tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27959/14]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

314. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a derogation to allow tendering for SICAP by national organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27964/14]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

328. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of his proposed changes to NCCWM if the €1.3million which is currently funding the NCCWM is available in each county to be applied for under the SICAP; as NCCWN employs the co-ordinators in each county should the community groups be applying for funding under the name of the NCCWM or each local community group apply in their own name; the rights of the employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28287/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 314 and 328 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.

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 the services to clients, the Programme will be 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.

Partner Candidates have a role in the delivery and implementation of the programme. All such Partner Candidates must be identified in the Qualification Questionnaire and a contracting arrangement may be required between the Lead Candidate and any Partner Candidates. Candidates may rely on the resources of other entities in order to establish the suitability requirements on condition that they can prove to the satisfaction of Pobal that they will have these resources at their disposal when necessary.

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. My Department has no role in the internal operations of companies currently implementing the LCDP and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are for the Board of the company, as the employer, to manage.

I look forward to the outcome of the procurement process and the roll out of SICAP in January 2015.

Community Development Projects

Ceisteanna (315)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

315. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the changes that are being made to community development schemes; the number of schemes currently operating in Dublin North East and Dublin North Central; the number of schemes that have closed since 2011 in Dublin North East and Dublin North Central; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27969/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 488 of 13th May 2014 , which sets out the position in the matter.

Irish Water Administration

Ceisteanna (316)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

316. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the issue where a complaint made to Irish Water relating to water supply or sewage issues after 5 p.m. is not communicated to Fingal County Council through the automated system until after 9 the following morning; the action that he will take to facilitate better communication between Irish Water and local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27982/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The provision of an out of hours service is an operational matter for Irish Water and one in which I have no function. However, I have been informed by Irish Water that the availability of an out-of-hours service does not impact on response to emergencies. Any queries or issues in relation to water supply can be reported directly to Irish Water from anywhere in the country. Any member of the public can contact Irish Water by phone to 1890 278 278 (service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or by email to [e-mail]. Full contact details for Irish Water are available on the organisation’s website at www.water.ie.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 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 Act requires the CER to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of the customers of Irish Water. This is similar to the CER’s statutory role in respect of the gas and electricity sectors.

Leader Programmes Applications

Ceisteanna (317)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

317. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider extending the 1 August deadline for completion of Leader-funded projects. [28025/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department has allowed LEADER project promoters’ contracts to be extended to the 30 September 2014. If an extension of time is required beyond that point it is a matter for the relevant Local Action Group (LAG) to present an argument on a case by case basis to my Department outlining the circumstances. In any event no extension will be granted beyond the end of November 2014 , as LAG contracts expire at end of December 2014.

Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Collection

Ceisteanna (318)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide examples of liabilities for home owners who have not discharged their non-principal private residence tax on the 31 August 2014, 1 September 2014, 1 January 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28048/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge of €200 per annum , which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. A late payment fee of €20 per month applies to any undischarged liabilities. The 2009 Act places the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and its application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Part 12 of t he Local Government Reform Act 2014 deals with the collection of undischarged liabilities relating to the NPPR charge. The Act provides for a grace period, from 2 March 2014 to 31 August 2014, during which time no new late penalties will be applied to existing liabilities. If payment is not made in full or if settlement terms are not agreed by the end of that period, an additional late payment fee of €120 per liability date is applied on 1 September 2014. In addition, the entire NPPR liability is increased by a factor of 50% and frozen.

The table below outlines the liabilities of property owners who have not discharged their NPPR Charge and shows the total maximum amount they would be liable for currently and what that liability will increase to following the end of the grace period on 31 August 2014 . No additional late payment fees will apply in subsequent years as the liability is frozen as of 1 September 2014.

Liability Year	Liability if Payment made on or before 31 August 2014	Additional Late Payment Fee post 31 August 2014	Liability if Payment made on or after 1 September 2014
2009	€1,260	€810	€2,070
2010	€1,100	€730	€1,830
2011	€860	€610	€1,470
2012	€620	€490	€1,110
2013	€380	€370	€750
Total	€4,220	€3 , 010	€7,230

It is very much in the interest of non-compliant owners to come forward during the grace period to regularise their affairs and to take advantage of this once-off opportunity. The NPPR charge is based on self-declaration and therefore the onus is on the property owner themselves to register their property and make the payment. Local authorities will be taking a proactive approach to ensure that any outstanding liabilities are discharged in the most equitable, efficient and economically beneficial manner. I am advising all Non-compliant owners should log on to www.nppr.ie, or alternatively contact their local authority to arrange to regularise their NPPR affairs before 1 September 2014 to avoid incurring additional fees.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Ceisteanna (319)

Ann Phelan

Ceist:

319. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the announcement will be made regarding funding for the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector 2014-2016; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in delaying this announcement small organisations, including some dealing with persons with disabilities, have had to put their staff on protective notice with redundancies to begin from 30 June onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28062/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The 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 commenced today all applicants have been notified, and my Department has written to the successful organisations to confirm their allocations.

Electromagnetic Fields Studies

Ceisteanna (320)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

320. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if studies have been conducted regarding the possible emission of microwave radiation from smart meters; and if he is satisfied that they present no danger to householders. [28092/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Information in relation to the roll out of Smart Meters is publicly available on the website of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), www.cer.ie. I have no function in relation to the roll - out of smart meters.

The issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This Report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, is available for download on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/EnvironmentalRadiation/.

My Department is currently commissioning a study on international developments in non-ionising radiation (NIR) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) research since the publication of the 2007 Report. The study will also examine how the issue of NIR/EMF is dealt with in other jurisdictions. A number of national and international experts were invited to submit proposals to undertake this work and I expect that a contract will be awarded in the coming weeks, with a view to completing the study later this year.

The results of this study will be used by a Steering Committee, convened and chaired by my Department, to make specific proposals relating to the future management of these matters including, inter alia, any consequent legislative amendments and provision of appropriate technical expertise and associated resources.