Written Answers Nos. 460 - 486
460. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a dispensation for the residency clause in planning conditions on a site is available on hardship grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30732/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the broader efforts to control development in rural areas, my Department’s 2005 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing recommend the attachment of a seven-year occupancy condition for a dwelling being granted planning permission in a rural area. Nonetheless, within this period, it is open to the dwelling owner, with the consent of the planning authority, to sell the house to another person who would satisfy the local need criteria for the area. The Guidelines also recommend that such conditions shall not affect the sale of a dwelling by a mortgagee in possession or by any person deriving title from such a sale to facilitate the sale of property by lending institutions in circumstances relating to a loan foreclosure.
While the enforcement of such planning conditions is a matter for each planning authority, having regard to national policy, I understand that planning authorities consider requests for non-enforcement of occupancy conditions on a case-by-case basis from dwelling owners who may find themselves in “force majeure” situations similar to the above, such as marital breakdown or emigration, and which require the sale of their dwelling.
461. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 152 and 153 of 26 February 2014 if the 2014 funding allocations for the anti-litter awareness grant scheme for 2014 has been finalised; if he has requested local authorities to examine a further roll-out of additional adopt a road projects in their areas; the response to same to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30735/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy predecessor announced the provision of €850,000 in grants from the Environment Fund to local authorities under the 2014 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. As in previous years, the scheme enables local authorities to provide funding support for appropriate local public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti. In the invitation to local authorities to submit applications under the scheme, they were requested to consider the development of ‘adopt-a-road’ styled schemes in their functional areas, where practicable. All local authorities have now submitted their applications for consideration and these are currently being assessed in my Department.
462. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 346 of 1 April 2014 the progress that has been made regarding the introduction of a statutory regulatory framework to allow tenants of approved housing bodies, in particular voluntary housing bodies, to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30736/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are the de facto owners of their properties and are required to make them available for social renting for the duration of the mortgage or, as the case may be, the payment and availability agreement. My Department cannot unilaterally make provision for their sale to tenants. Any such decision would have to involve the AHB and have regard to the mortgage on the property. On expiry of the mortgage period, and subject to compliance with the terms of the funding agreement, the AHB becomes the owner of the property.
In relation to a regulatory framework for the sector, Building for the Future, a voluntary regulation code was introduced in July 2013 as a precursor to a statutory regulatory framework to support the sector’s long-term growth. In February 2014, an interim Regulation Committee was established under the auspices of the Housing Agency and is supported by a Regulation Office within that Agency. The Regulation Committee was set up to oversee implementation of the voluntary code and to advise on statutory regulation. To date, over 150 AHBs have signed up to the code.
Regulation is an important element in providing the conditions necessary for the growth and development of the sector. Financing that growth is equally important and the question of how best to utilise the existing asset base, including the option of selling existing stock to tenants, is a factor to be considered.
464. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will meet with representatives of residents of an area (details supplied) in County Dublin and the chair of the Pyrite Remediation Board before the recess. [30758/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions and as Minister I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. I understand that the Chairman and Manager of the Board will be meeting with a number of Dáil Deputies and residents from the Lusk Village this week.
466. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will act on a matter (details supplied) and save 60 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30763/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIssues concerning the enforcement of waste management legislation are a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority and should therefore be pursued with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the relevant local authority, as appropriate. The Office of Environmental Enforcement within the EPA has a mandate to deliver enhanced environmental compliance, both through enforcement of Agency licences issued to waste, industrial and other activities, and also through the supervisory role which it exercises in respect of the environmental protection activities of local authorities.
Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, as Minister, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Environmental Protection Agency or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it, including enforcement functions.
467. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who was responsible for deciding which projects received funding under the dormant accounts action plan 2014; if there was an application procedure for interested bodies; if the application process was advertised; if projects were selected by civil servants; if so, under what criteria; if he will provide those criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30766/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary purpose of the Dormant Accounts legislation is to re-unite the original account holders with their moneys, including all interest due. In addition, the legislation also provides that disbursements from the Fund may be made for purposes of community benefit. The Dormant Accounts Acts 2001 to 2012 provide that funds may be disbursed for the purposes of assisting the personal and social development of persons who are economically disadvantaged, the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability.
A new Disbursement Scheme was prepared, in accordance with the 2012 Act, after consultation with various Ministers, including the Minister for Health, the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Social Protection. The Scheme was approved by Government in December 2013 and was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 18 December 2013.
The 2012 Act also provides for the preparation of an Action Plan each year to give effect to the Scheme. My Department carried out a consultation process with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Social Protection and other Ministers as appropriate in relation to the Action Plan. Following completion of the consultation process, my predecessor adopted a new Dormant Accounts Action Plan for 2014 that will provide diverse supports for disadvantaged communities, including measures to promote youth employment, employability and entrepreneurship, training for carers and support for people with disabilities. Measures under my Department will be administered by Pobal and applications will be invited later this year. €5.456 million for Dormant Accounts Measures is provided in my Department’s Estimates in 2014, which includes €2 million to be used to support labour force activation measures in local authorities.
Further data in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/DormantAccounts/.
468. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a Leader application (details supplied in County Mayo); the reason for the delay in deciding on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30778/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with the Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP).
I understand that the project in question was subject to a n additional public procurement process and that it will be submitted to my Department for review in the coming weeks.
469. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the breakdown of expenditure for Cavan-Monaghan Leader 2007-2014 on projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30794/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the cost of refitting local authority chambers in view of the recent elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30796/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fitting of a council chamber is a matter for each local authority concerned. Data relating to costs in this regard are not maintained in my Department.
471. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of migrant-led organisations that applied for the scheme to support national organisations funding programme; the number of migran- led organisations successful in receiving this funding in the recent allocation of SSNO funding 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30827/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of migrant-led organisations that applied for the SSNO funding programme; the number of migrant-led organisations here successful in receiving this funding in the recent allocation of SSNO funding to successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31034/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 478 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. Pobal was asked 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. My predecessor was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and he approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. Five migrant led organisations applied for funding under the Scheme but were not approved for funding on this occasion. Two further organisations that are considered to be partnerships in that their board is made up of migrant and non-migrant board members, were approved for funding.
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.
472. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North-East Leader in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo. [30829/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with the Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP) who I understand, have requested further documentation from the grant applicant. MNELP will consider the matter further on receipt of this documentation.
475. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30958/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Jun e 2016. The Migraine Association of Ireland 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.
479. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail the water metering situation for persons living in apartments; the way each person's water supply will be read; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31037/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the company the necessary powers to allow it to undertake the water metering programme.
Most meters for public utilities are located at the point where the connection enters the household. In the case of water services, under the provisions of the Water Services Act 2007, households’ pipes internal to the boundary of a property are considered the responsibility of the householder, and thus water meters are being fitted at the stopcock at the boundary of the property. Meters will be read automatically and the information will be provided directly to customers in their bills.
Of the estimated 1.35 million 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 has been submitted to my Department and its recommendations 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 proposed approach to charging has been outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan which it has submitted to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in line with the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. The CER is responsible for approving the plan. I understand that the CER will initiate a public consultation shortly in relation to the water charges plan. Full details of the CER’s public consultation plans are available on its website (www.cer.ie).
480. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in County Offaly presents for an interview with a local authority, is the person entitled to receive a written transcript of their interview results under freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31047/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Therefore, the issue raised in relation to interview procedures at Offaly County Council are a matter for the Chief Executive of Offaly County Council.
Freedom of Information legislation asserts the right of members of the public to obtain access to official information to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy. Information regarding making a request is available at www.foi.gov.ie.
482. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of funding on a county basis of the grant assistance provided by his Department towards the purchase and installation of personal monitors and alarms to enable older persons of limited means to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31108/14]
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.
This is a community led scheme, and is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. The following table sets out, on a county basis, the funds granted to community bodies who sought funding for the installation of alarms for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. Further data in relation to the Seniors Alert Scheme are available on my Department’s website at the following weblink: http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/SeniorsAlert/
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Carlow |
€43,085.40 |
€37,830.00 |
€40,097.50 |
|
Cavan |
€33,487.75 |
€27,620.75 |
€18,427.80 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Clare |
€90,247.50 |
€103,740.20 |
€84,217.00 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cork |
€200,516.35 |
€257,884.40 |
€267,057.90 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donegal |
€109,251.75 |
€70,483.45 |
€155,027.60 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Dublin |
€519,950.75 |
€541,143.69 |
€373,472.10 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Galway |
€141,846.90 |
€178,972.15 |
€197,388.20 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kerry |
€63,889.50 |
€100,251.65 |
€83,126.05 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kildare |
€66,583.95 |
€44,103.65 |
€53,717.80 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
€69,987.70 |
€113,079.90 |
€54,340.00 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Laois |
€49,945.40 |
€49,618.20 |
€28,849.20 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Leitrim |
€17,853.00 |
€26,109.05 |
€20,573.30 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Limerick |
€102,644.55 |
€80,780.00 |
€112,963.95 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Longford |
€48,845.15 |
€61,492.40 |
€25,616.00 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Louth |
€63,323.40 |
€62,857.80 |
€53,831.00 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Mayo |
€198,538.95 |
€142,120.40 |
€141,649.60 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Meath |
€75,558.20 |
€74,357.85 |
€67,736.20 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Monaghan |
€28,306.50 |
€21,538.35 |
€50,055.58 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Offaly |
€64,527.85 |
€87,151.10 |
€51,390.00 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Roscommon |
€17,961.00 |
€57,524.75 |
€23,453.10 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Sligo |
€40,887.00 |
€39,241.34 |
€67,578.80 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Tipperary |
€143,442.02 |
€75,147.10 |
€96,272.05 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Waterford |
€42,252.00 |
€50,539.00 |
€51,093.60 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Westmeath |
€87,852.10 |
€138,613.50 |
€83,443.55 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wexford |
€62,927.60 |
€60,626.20 |
€66,262.95 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wicklow |
€73,883.15 |
€80,051.00 |
€52,515.10 |
483. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when his Department will publish its annual report for 2013. [31126/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department ’s Annual Report for 2013 has been published and is available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,38294,en.docx.
484. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an organisation (details supplied) has appealed a recent decision not to provide it funding for the coming year; when he expects an appeal decision; if his Department and Pobal will work with the organisation to have its funding reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31138/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. My predecessor 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. My predecessor was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and he approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The Irish Deaf Society are not one of the organisation’s 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. I understand that Pobal met with representatives from the Deaf Advocacy Service on the 10th of July last to provide clarifications on their recent decision in relation to their funding application. The Deaf Advocacy Service can submit an appeal in writing further to this meeting. No appeal has yet been received. In relation to the timeframe for a decision on an appeal, Pobal expects that it will be in a position to make recommendations to the Department in September 2014. 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.
485. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to any plans to change the planning regulations in relation to fast food takeaways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31140/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning authorities may, when adopting the Development Plan for their areas, adopt policies to curtail an excessive concentration of takeaways in particular areas. Under planning legislation the change of use of any premises to a takeaway or fast food outlet would require planning permission. In deciding whether or not to grant permission for a development, the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received, and relevant ministerial or Government policies including any guidelines issued by my Department.
My predecessor published Local Area Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities in June 2013. The Guidelines recognise the important role of planning in promoting and facilitating active and healthy living patterns for local communities. For example, the Guidelines suggest that the local area plan can promote active and healthier lifestyles by ensuring that, inter alia, exposure of children to the promotion of foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar is reduced through careful consideration of the appropriateness or location of fast food outlets in the vicinity of schools and parks. I have no current plans to amend the Local Area Plan Guidelines in this regard.
