Written Answers Nos. 529-553
529. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the representations he made to the Department of Finance for more funding for the redevelopment and purchasing of new vehicles for the country's fire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29505/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of 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 the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
My Department has contributed in excess of €169 million in capital funding over the past decade towards significant improvements in fire service infrastructure, fleet and equipment. Ireland is acknowledged to have a good infrastructure of fire stations and an excellent front-line fleet of appliances, specialist vehicles and equipment. In recognition of the importance of continued investment in the fire service, the capital allocation was increased from €5 million in 2013 to €8 million this year. This was achieved notwithstanding the context of reducing capital budgets in line with Government policy on the management of the public finances.
Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as one of the key national priorities for the fire services capital programme. In that context and in order to deliver cost efficiencies, a programme involving fire authorities aggregating demand and jointly procuring 17 fire appliances is now nearing completion. Following the success of this programme, further support from my Department's fire services capital programme for a similar initiative and other equipment or fire station projects will be considered within the constraints of available resources and will have regard to local authorities' priorities, the value for money offered by proposals, the totality of requests from fire authorities and the status of existing facilities having regard to risk categorisation.
530. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if approval has been given to the application by Wicklow County Council to fill a number of vacancies in the Wicklow County Council library service, including the position of executive librarian at Greystones library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29506/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 115 of 2 July 2014 which sets out the position in this matter.
531. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines on noise, setbacks and shadow flicker will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29509/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI commenced a public consultation in December of last year on proposed “draft” revisions to the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines focussing specifically on the issues of noise, setbacks and shadow flicker. These draft revisions propose;
- The setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- A mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- The complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during the public consultation period and the submissions – which are currently being considered - will be an important input into the final version of the guidelines, which will be issued to planning authorities. Further work is advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines.
The proposed draft revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts. It is intended that the revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised later in the year.
532. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he proposes to change dog control laws in view of the apparent increase in attacks by dogs; if so, if he will detail same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29536/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no proposals at this stage to amend the current legislation in respect of the control of dogs. This legislation requires that the owner, or any other person in charge of a dog, shall not permit the dog to be in a public place unless the owner, or the other person in charge of the dog, accompanies it and keeps it under effectual control. A person who fails to comply with these provisions shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
Further restrictions apply to the control of certain specified dog breeds, set out in the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, under which those dog breeds are not permitted to be in a public place unless they are securely muzzled and led by a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two metres in length, by a person over the age of sixteen years who is capable of controlling such a dog.
I am satisfied that this legislation provides a strong basis for dog control measures. Its implementation is a matter for the local authorities, all of whom either directly employ dog control staff or operate a contract for that purpose. It is crucial also for members of the public to exercise responsible dog ownership, in terms of compliance with the legislation, co-operation with local authorities and in being mindful of the impact of their dogs' behaviour on other members of the public.
533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork for each year since the commencement of the project; if his Department obtains a comprehensive financial report each year from the organisation; if the assets are listed in the name of his Department or the orgainsation; if the funding granted by his Department is allocated thereafter on the basis of set guidelines; if his Department is satisfied that these guidelines are being observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29541/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 439 of 17 June, 2014 which sets out the position on this matter.
Funding for the provision of 10 units of accommodation by the approved housing body, Right of Place Building Project Ltd, was provided under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). In accordance with the terms and conditions of the CAS, responsibility for the administration of the scheme, including the assessment and appraisal of projects, ensuring compliance with public procurement and statutory planning and the payments of grants on foot of work done, rests with the local authority. Details of the amounts recouped to Cork City Council in respect of the project are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Amount Recouped |
|
2001 |
€367,820 |
|
2002 |
€301,620 |
|
2003 |
€594,512 |
|
2006 |
€121,495 |
|
2012 |
€72,919 |
|
TOTAL |
€1,458,366 |
The detailed guidelines pertaining to the provision of funding to AHB's under the CAS is set out in my Department's Memorandum VHU2/02, which may be accessed on my Department's website http://www.environ.ie/en/Publication s/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/ Capital Funding Schemes for the Provision of Rental Accommodation by Approved Housing Bodies (pdf, 339 kb). Under the terms of the scheme the AHB's are the de facto owner of the properties and are required to make them available for social renting for the duration of the mortgage.
534. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of the forthcoming domestic water charges, if he will provide a detailed list of the free allowances that he will provide for households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29558/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra554. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any property which has been identified as currently not suitable for a meter will be considered suitable for installation during the metering roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29834/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra555. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the CER will determine the tariff for properties which are connected to the public water and wastewater system but that will not have a meter installed before the commencement of billing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29835/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the completion and implementation timeline for public consultations to determine the water tariffs for properties that will not have a water meter installed when billing commences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29836/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra557. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the processes that are in place to facilitate the circumstances of a private property owner who wishes to have a water meter installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29837/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 554 to 557, inclusive, 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.
I have used my powers under the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 to issue a policy direction to the CER in relation to a number of matters relating to domestic water charges, including the provision of free allowances and the calculation of assessed charges following on from the consideration by Government of proposals in relation to the funding model for Irish Water. This direction applies for the regulatory cycle from 1 October 2014 to 31 December 201 6 and requires, inter alia, that funding provided to Irish Water should be used 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 and 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 direction notes that normal consumption is estimated at 38,000 litres annually per child of water supplied and waste water treated and this is to be verified through actual consumption data from metering.
The direction also reflects the Government decision that bills will be capped at the relevant assessed charge level for those customers with particular medical conditions which necessitate high water usage. Qualifying medical conditions will be set out, following consultation with the Minister for Health and the Health Services Executive. In addition to the above, the Government has agreed to put in place further affordability measures to assist pensioners, persons with disabilities, and carers who receive the Household Benefits Package. The conditions and administrative approach to this additional measure will be developed by the Department of Social Protection.
The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme. The meter installation programme commenced in August 2013 and will be implemented nationally as quickly as possible. The time frame and the allocation of resources for the installation of meters is a matter for Irish Water.
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 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. In particular, my Department is exploring with Irish Water the potential to include a new phase of metering of some 48,000 apartments, which the report suggests can be easily metered as part of a separate procurement.
Households that are connected to the public water supply, but do not have a water meter installed, will be charged on an assessed basis, primarily based on occupancy. There will also be provision for a rebate, when a customer moves from an assessed charge to a metered charge and usage is deemed above a reasonable threshold by comparison to the subsequent metered usage.
The approach to charging will be outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan which it has submitted to the CER in line with the provisions of the Act. The CER is responsible for approving the plan. It has already undertaken a public consultation on the approach to the design of domestic water tariffs for both metered and unmetered properties and I understand that the CER has indicated that it will initiate a public consultation shortly in relation to other aspects of the water charges plan. Full details of the CER's public consultation plans are available on its website (www.cer.ie).
In making its decision on the approval or otherwise of Irish Water's first water charges plan, the CER must take account of the direction made under Section 42 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act and the CER will also take into account submissions received on foot of its public consultation on the plan and the decisions made by the Government on the funding model for Irish Water. The CER expect to announce the approved water charges in September 2014.
535. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding, if any, his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29575/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe level of service and funding provided towards library services for visually impaired people is a matter for each local authority. While I understand that all libraries provide such services, my Department does not have a specific role in their provision.
536. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [29602/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in relation to Special Advisers I have appointed is set out in the following table.
|
Name |
Position |
Salary * |
|
Claire Langton |
Special Adviser |
€84,706 |
|
Sean McKeown |
Special Adviser |
€ 87, 258 |
* Note: Salary reflects scale wef 1 July 2013.
The appointments were undertaken in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices of March 2011. The Guidelines provide that Special Advisers are to be placed on the Principal Officer (standard) scale and appointments are to be on the first point of the scale except where a higher starting salary is sought and approved by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Due to Mr McKeown's previous employment, his extensive expertise in the areas of business, community and local government and with regard to his previous salary, sanction was sought to appoint him on the first long service increment point of the Principal Officer (standard) scale. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform sanctioned the maximum of the Principal Officer (standard) scale. Salaries of Advisers have been reduced in the interim in line with the Public Service Agreements.
537. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the delay in bringing forward the remediation plan for Kerdiffstown landfill, Naas, County Kildare in view of the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency recommended a course of action last January. [29648/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EPA engaged SKM Enviros consultants to develop an options paper for the remediation of the former landfill site at Kerdiffstown, Naas, County Kildare. The Agency received the final options report last Autumn, setting out three main options for remediation. The Agency discussed the report in October with a number of stakeholders, including local elected representatives and Oireachtas Members from the area, local residents and business representatives.
Taking account of these deliberations and their own analysis, the Board of the EPA considered the options report earlier this year and recommended one of the three options as the most appropriate. While there are a number of land ownership issues that need to be resolved in advance of actual remediation commencing, I expect my Department's consideration of the matter to be completed shortly and that the preferred remediation option would then be presented to Government.
538. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the draft guidelines for wind energy recommend a noise level much higher than that recommended by the World Health Organization (details supplied); the steps he will take to ensure the WHO criteria will be fully incorporated into the final version of the draft guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29649/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra543. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 476 to 480, inclusive, of 17 June 2014 and the assertion therein that the draft revisions of the wind energy guidelines take into account the 2009 World Health Organization's findings regarding night time noise, the way this is so, when the WHO identified the following: that the population should not be exposed to night noise levels greater than 40 dB of Lnight outside, as measured on the LAeq noise measurement indicator; that it should be possible to sleep with a bedroom window slightly open (a reduction from outside to inside of 15 dB); when the noise is composed of a large proportion of low frequency sounds a still lower guideline value is recommended; and when assessing the effects of environmental noise on people it is relevant to consider the importance of background noise level, because the draft guidelines fail to give effect to those four fundamental WHO criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29773/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 543 together.
My Department published draft revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines on 11 December 2013 and commenced a period of public consultation which concluded on 21 February 2014. A stringent absolute outdoor noise limit (day and night) of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments has been proposed in these draft revisions to the Guidelines.
This proposed fixed limit takes into account the World Health Organisation's 2009 Night Noise Guidelines for Europe recommended targets in relation to night time noise, and the 2013 review of international practice on wind noise undertaken by Marshall Day Acoustics. The Marshall Day Acoustics review recommended that on balance, it is considered that absolute noise limits offer the potential to provide comparable or better levels of amenity protection than the combined noise limits in the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
My Department is currently considering the submissions received during the public consultation period. A combined or relative noise limit and the usage of the L A90 noise measurement indicator will be reviewed as part of this process.
539. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if section 54 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, regarding the appointment of a chief executive of a council, is subject to a ministerial commencement order; if the section is operational for all such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29716/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions relating to the appointment of a chief executive provided for in section 54 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 were commenced with effect from 1 June 2014. The new arrangements are now effective in any instance where the process for the recruitment and appointment of a chief executive commenced on or after 1 June 2014. Recruitment/appointment processes commenced prior to that date continue to be governed by the previous legislation provisions.
540. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reconsider a decision not to provide funding for Deaforward, an essential support service for the deaf community; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Deaforward office must now close as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29720/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra544. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reverse the budget cut to the National Deaf Advocacy Service of the Irish Deaf Society; if his attention has been drawn to the levels of social exclusion and difficulties in accessing essential public services that the deaf community face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29776/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 544 together.
The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. I asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant experience and expertise of both the design of assessment criteria and completion of assessment functions. I was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and I approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The Irish Deaf Society is not one of the organisations approved for funding on this occasion.
Pobal has put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. There is also an appeals process and Pobal has provided applicants with detailed information on this process. As this appeals process is now live, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the funding process or on the application of any particular organisation.
541. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person responsible for the continued maintenance and upkeep of the many mechanical sewerage treatment plants abandoned by developers who have gone out of business; his views on the serious health risk to residents of these affected estates throughout the State; if he will indicate if responsibility lies with the city or county councils or with Irish Water-Uisce Éireann. [29752/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no responsibility for, or role in, the day to day management, maintenance or operation of water or waste water infrastructure. However, it is aware of issues with some water services infrastructure provided by developers and which is not connected to the public network. My Department is currently considering what long-term solutions might be appropriate in such cases. The Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities continue to have statutory responsibility for the investigation of environmental pollution.
542. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his role in the appointment of the chief executive officer of an association (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to any concerns raised about the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29765/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of personnel to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) such as housing associations is a matter for the Boards of such bodies. I have no role in relation to such appointments nor have any concerns been raised with me regarding the specific appointment referred to.
AHBs consist mainly of voluntary or co-operative organisations registered under the Companies Acts, societies registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Acts and/or Trusts incorporated under the Charities Acts. The Government has committed to bringing greater transparency and better governance to the AHB sector. To this end, I intend to introduce statutory regulation for the governance of AHBs by 2016. Pending statutory regulation, in July 2013 I introduced a system of voluntary regulation for the sector based on a published code Building for the Future that is available on my Department's website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,33727,en.pdf.
While my Department's involvement with AHBs relates primarily to the provision of funding under specific schemes, earlier this year I established an interim Regulation Committee under the auspices of the Housing Agency and supported by a Regulation Office within the Agency. The committee was set up to oversee implementation of the code and to advise on statutory regulation. To date, over 150 AHBs have signed up to the voluntary code. Details of the new regulatory structures are available at the Housing Agency website at https://www.housing.ie/Regulation.aspx.
546. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the senior alert scheme can be accessed retrospectively by a qualifying person who seeks to recoup the cost of a monitored alarm systems installation as he or she was not aware of the support available. [29784/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 terms and conditions of the Scheme include that applications should not be made for equipment already installed and no costs should be incurred without prior approval of my Department.
547. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in a tabular form the current salaries paid to all city and county managers of local authorities. [29806/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe salaries for local authority Chief Executives, effective from 1 July, 2013, are set out in the following table.
|
Local Authority Chief Executive |
Salary |
|
Dublin City Council |
€175,721 |
|
Cork County Council Fingal County Council South Dublin County Council |
€150,977 |
|
Cork City Council Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Kildare County Council Meath County Council Limerick City and County Council |
€142,966 |
|
Clare County Council Donegal County Council Galway County Council Kerry County Council Kilkenny County Council Louth County Council Mayo County Council Tipperary County Council Westmeath County Council Wexford County Council Wicklow County Council Waterford City and County Council |
€133,072 |
|
Galway City Council Carlow County Council Cavan County Council Laois County Council Leitrim County Council Longford County Council Monaghan County Council Offaly County Council Roscommon County Council Sligo County Council |
€123,910 |
548. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual saving to the Exchequer if salaries across all local authorities were capped at €100,000. [29808/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 31 March 2014 there were 216.4 (whole time equivalent) local authority staff, or under 1% of the total local authority staff complement, on salary scales the maximum points of which are in excess of €100,000. The grades concerned are Chief Executives, Assistant Chief Executives and Directors of Service. Information regarding potential cost savings which could arise if these salaries were reduced is not available in my Department.
549. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authorities, public sector workers in receipt of salaries within the bands (details supplied). [29809/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest data available (as at 31 December 2012) in my Department on the numbers of persons employed in local authorities on a whole time equivalent basis (WTE), and the available salary range, are set out in the table below.
|
Salary Range |
€0 - €30,000 |
€30,001 - €40,000 |
€40,001 - €50,000 |
€50,001 - €60,000 |
€60,001 - €70,000 |
€70,001 - €80,000 |
€80,001 - €90,000 |
€90,001 - €100,000 |
€100,001 - €125,000 |
€125,001 - €150,000 |
€150,001 - Upwards |
|
No. of WTE's |
7,209.81 |
9,380.81 |
6,097.99 |
2,863.75 |
1,209.86 |
831.37 |
469 |
31 |
167.65 |
31 |
6 |
550. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the environmental partnership fund, the amount of the available funding in 2013 that was allocated to Cork projects; what those projects were; if a similar scheme will be available to communities this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29823/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, which has operated since 1997, promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale environmental projects at local level. These projects involve partnership arrangements between local authorities and various local groups, including community groups, schools and environmental NGOs.
My Department provided total funding of €400,000 under the Scheme in 2013, to 669 projects throughout the country, including funding of €10,500 to projects in the Cork City Council area and funding of €29,250 to projects in the Cork County Council area. This funding was matched by an equivalent amount from the relevant local authorities.
Full details of the 2014 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund Scheme were published in the national press and on my Department's website on 6 June 2014; details are available at the following weblink; http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/LocalAgenda21/EnvironmentalPartnershipFund/.
The closing date for receipt of applications under the current Scheme was extended by a further week, to 7 July 2014.
551. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the €46 million in funding recently announced for a range of housing projects which will provide a total of 416 units of accommodation for persons with special housing needs including the elderly, persons with an intellectual or physical disability and homeless persons, when will the amount of funding allocated to each local authority be known; the projects in Cork City and County that will be funded as part of these initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29824/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 May 2014, I announced details of the specific projects to be funded in each local authority area under the €46 million investment which will support the delivery, by Approved Housing Bodies (AHB's), of some 416 units of accommodation under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) work programme for 2014-2015.
Details in relation to the projects to be advanced in Cork City and County are set out in the following table.
Cork City and County
|
Local Authority |
Name of AHB |
Proposed Project |
No of Units |
Category of Tenant |
Estimated Cost € |
|
Cork City Council |
Good Shepherd Services |
Grattan Street, Cork |
15 |
Mother and Child Refuge |
2,225,000 |
|
|
Cork Simon Community |
St. Joachim and Anne's, Anglesea St., Cork |
12 |
Homeless |
1,085,000 |
|
Cork County Council |
Cluid Housing Association |
Freemount, Co. Cork. |
1 |
Persons with Disability |
172,150 |
|
|
Charleville Care Project Ltd |
Church View, Love Lane, Charleville |
2 |
Elderly |
194,760 |
|
|
Bandon Geriatric and Community Council |
Avenue House, Bandon |
8 |
Elderly |
744,000 |
|
TOTAL |
- |
- |
38 |
- |
€4,420,910 |
552. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the Memorandum of Understanding that is due to be reached between Irish Water and local authorities as it relates to the provision of repair and maintenance of damaged water and/or sewerage pipes within the boundaries of areas previously under the responsibility of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29832/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provided for the transfer of responsibility for public water services from the local authorities to Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014. Accordingly, responsibility for the maintenance of the public water supply and sewer networks is a matter for Irish Water. In accordance with section 31 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, Irish Water has entered into agreements with each of the local authorities to provide services on behalf of Irish Water in this regard for a 12-year period.
In light of the transfer of responsibility for public water services, my Department, in consultation with Irish Water and the local authorities, is currently working on developing a protocol in relation to the taking in charge of housing estates. This will be finalised shortly, following which guidelines will be issued to local authorities by means of circular letter in relation to the practical aspects of the taking in charge of water services infrastructure.
553. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress to date in determination of eligibility for assistance under the pyrite remediation scheme in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29833/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme is a matter for the Pyrite Resolution Board and my Department has no role in the day-to-day management or operation of the scheme; any request for information on individual applications would be more appropriately addressed to the Board, which can be contacted at 1890 252842 or info@pyriteboard.ie.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board to implement a remediation scheme with the support of the Housing Agency. To date, the Board has received in excess of 500 completed applications and these are currently being processed. Each application must first be validated by the Board, which involves an assessment of the application against relevant eligibility criteria and may also include an audit of the Building Condition Assessment. Approximately 200 applications have been validated and forwarded to the Housing Agency for the assessment, verification and recommendation process; of this figure in excess of 50 have been approved for inclusion in the scheme and the homeowners notified accordingly.
Following completion of the verification process and approval by the Board for the inclusion of dwelling(s) in the scheme the next stage involves the awarding of a contract for the works and the commencement of the remediation works. While no contracts have been awarded to date the Board anticipates that the first contract will be awarded within the next two months.
