Written Answers Nos. 487-513
487. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will require the household charge support unit to provide a breakdown of the number of letters sent, phone calls answered, and e-mails dealt with this year in relation to the €200,000 it has received from the local government fund. [31171/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provided the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Charge has operated on a self-assessment basis with an owner of a residential property determining liability and paying the Charge.
The Household Charge was operational in respect of 2012 only, with arrears and penalties in respect of a 2012 liability being collected by local authorities, assisted by the Local Government Management Agency on a shared services/agency basis up to and including 30 June 2013. Household Charge operational matters are a matter for the relevant local authority or for the Agency, including the issuing of certificates of waiver or exemption, refunds due in respect of overpayments made prior to 30 June 2013, and all associated queries. The 2011 Act allows owners of residential property to apply for a Certificate of Discharge or Exemption or Waiver for the Household Charge. Effectively, these Certificates continue to be provided by the Household Charge Bureau on behalf of Local Authorities. A provision of €200,000 has been set aside from the Local Government Fund in 2014 in respect of Household Charge administrative costs.
The Local Government Management Agency have informed me that they have received in excess of 25,000 phone calls, letters and emails in respect of Household Charge administrative matters so far in 2014 and that approximately 22% of the correspondence received remains to be dealt with. They are continuing to deal with the queries and issues raised in the correspondence with a view to resolving all outstanding matters as soon as possible.
488. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of the tendering of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, if he is aware of European Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 76 which states (details supplied); and his views that the SICAP tender complies with this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31183/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra513. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to the decision to require local development companies to engage in a competitive tendering process for delivering projects and services to local communities, if the justification for this arises from Directive 2004/18/EC; if will he respond to claims that this directive has been replaced by Directive 2014/24/EU which is the current law on public procurement; if he will clarify that two of the preambles to 2014/24/EU, namely 7 and 14, state that public authorities in member states are free to organise social services as they wish without a tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31497/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 513 together.
The proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government seek to position local government "as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably".
As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authority areas. These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis, including the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.
My Department’s Local and Community Development Programme is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years with funding of €281m over that period. It is being implemented 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 under way. The closing date for receipts of expressions of interest under Stage 1 of the process was noon, last Friday, 11 July 2014.
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 under way takes account of all recent developments in the law of procurement.
489. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the conditions for the continuation of community development work with Travellers by maintaining existing funding for Traveller organisations by top-slicing proposed SICAP funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31184/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 under way. The closing date for receipts of expressions of interest under Stage 1 of the process was noon on 11 July 2014.
The SICAP aim is to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration. I am confident that supports for the most disadvantaged in our society, such as Travellers, will continue under SICAP.
My Department also supports a number of Traveller projects under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). This funding scheme, which supports 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. Following Pobal’s assessment of applications on behalf of my Department, my predecessor approved 55 applications for funding under the scheme for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. A number of Traveller community groups were successful in applying for funding under the scheme, including Pavee Point, the National Traveller Women’s Forum and the Irish Traveller Movement.
490. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the list of cuts to Traveller specific supports (details supplied); his views on the seemingly disproportionate harshness of these cuts as the cut to expenditure in last year's budget was 4.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31185/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key principle underlying my Department’s activities is that of enabling communities themselves to identify and address the social and economic needs of their own areas. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat. My Department continues to be responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities and disadvantaged groups, including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) which 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 pending the rollout of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) from January 2015.
The objective of the LCDP is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the 'harder to reach' in the most disadvantaged areas and communities. €47.707 million has been allocated to the LCDP for 2014, a reduction of €1 million or 2% on the 2013 allocation, the smallest reduction to the Programme since 2010. Pavee Point, the National Traveller Partnership and the National Traveller Women’s Forum are currently all in receipt of funding under the LCDP.
My Department also supports a number of Traveller projects under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). This funding scheme, which supports 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. Following Pobal’s assessment of applications on behalf of my Department, my predecessor approved 55 applications for funding under the scheme for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. A number of Traveller community groups were successful in applying for funding under the scheme, including Pavee Point, the National Traveller Women’s Forum and the Irish Traveller Movement.
In the case of housing capital funding for Traveller-specific accommodation, the allocation for 2014 is €3 million. While this represents a decrease of €1 million compared to 2013, I do not expect that this will have a major impact on activity in 2014 as the Traveller Accommodation Programmes 2009 to 2013 came to an end in December 2013. This capital funding stream is used to provide 100% funding to housing authorities for the provision and maintenance of Traveller-specific accommodation and, in doing so, is designed to meet the specific and distinct accommodation needs of the Traveller community, such as halting sites and group housing schemes. In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, new multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes, which will run for the 5-year period to the end of 2018, will be introduced in 2014. As a result, 2014 is a transition year with a strong emphasis on the planning of programmes for the period up to the end of 2018. Based on the current status of approved Traveller-specific projects and considering that the new programmes were put in place in April, this is considered sufficient to meet current requirements. If it transpires that the 2014 provision is insufficient, I will review the position with a view to augmenting the capital provision, if possible.
It should be recognised that the vast majority of Traveller families have opted for, and are accommodated in, standard housing provided by local authorities and financed from my Department’s capital allocations for social housing, or in private rented accommodation with Rent Supplement support. It is open to Travellers to opt for any form of accommodation and local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes are intended to reflect these preferences.
My Department also provides funding for accommodation-related supports and social inclusion measures for Travellers which operate in tandem with the capital programme. An allocation of €3.25 million is being provided in 2014, which is in line with 2013 funding levels.
Responsibility for the other issues referred to are outside the remit of my Department.
491. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Sustainable Eneregy Ireland has finished its consultation with Quality and Qualifications Ireland; if a building energy ratings assessor training course will be available in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31192/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomestic Building Energy Rating assessor training courses, first introduced in 2007, were provided by training providers registered with a National Awards Body recognised under the National Framework of Qualifications. Successful completion of a Further Education and Training Awards Council-approved domestic BER assessor training course led to a Level 6 Special Purpose Award.
In November 2012, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) was established to replace the Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the Further Education and Training Awards Council , the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and also to incorporate the functions of the Irish Universities Quality Board. QQI initiated a review of existing awards and consequently deactivated a number of awards including the BER assessor training course award in December 2013. Following notification, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), as the Issuing Authority under the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012, immediately contacted QQI to address the issue of award deactivation.
I am advised by SEAI that the review and validation by QQI of the domestic BER assessor training course is being advanced. A public consultation on the award and occupational standards concluded in June 2014 and the recommendations arising will be included in the final award definition. QQI has indicated that the earliest possible date for award validation is September 2014. I have no function in relation to this aspect of the matter. Training providers may seek accreditation as soon as the award is validated.
The national domestic BER examination remains in place for existing BER assessors and candidates who have completed a recognised BER assessor training course on or before December 2013 and I am satisfied that there are a sufficient number of registered domestic BER assessors active in the marketplace to meet current demands.
492. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the location of the vacant houses that will be refurbished in Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council under the new Government scheme to refurbish vacant local authority homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31276/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, my Department announced details of a new measure, with funding of €15 million, for the refurbishment of vacant and boarded-up local authority houses in order to return these to productive use as quickly as possible. This investment is facilitating the refurbishment of 952 vacant houses across the country.
As part of the Government’s €200 million stimulus for the construction sector announced in May, a further €15 million is being provided for the refurbishment of additional units. Last week my Department announced details of the allocation of this €15 million to local authorities, which will facilitate the refurbishment of a further 1,008 vacant local authority units. This brings to €30 million the amount invested in this important programme and will result in almost 2,000 homes becoming available for families on the housing waiting list.
The investment will see the return of some 518 vacant houses to productive use across the Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council administrative areas. A list of the properties approved under the measure is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as quickly as possible.
493. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of shared ownership arrangements which are currently in place with local authorities; the total value of loans outstanding for this category of home ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31311/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra494. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of shared ownership arrangements with local authorities which are in arrears; if a process is in place for dealing with such arrears cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31312/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 494 together.
My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears. However, there is no breakdown of Shared Ownership Mortgages available. The statistics are available on my Department’s website at:http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15295,en.xls by clicking "Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities" under the Housing Loans contents.
The Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process, already in place in respect of commercial mortgages, is now being implemented across all local authorities. In cases of acute mortgage distress, homeowners also have the option of seeking to avail of the legal process now also in place to deal with personal insolvency.
My Department's guidelines to local authorities for dealing with mortgage arrears within the local authority sector, Dealing with Mortgage Arrears – A Guide for Local Authorities, is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,30943,en.pdf.
495. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will cease cutting funding to all 11 neurological organisations; if he will restore funding reductions immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31314/14]
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 June 2016.
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.
496. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of his appointees to An Bord Pleanála who have appeared before the environment committee; the names of these persons; and the dates on which they were appointed. [31318/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnlike the majority of State board appointments, appointments to An Bord Pleanála are full-time executive positions and the appointment process is governed by statutory provisions under the Planning and Developments Acts. The appearance of members of An Bord Pleanála before Oireachtas Committees from time to time is a matter between the Board and the relevant Committee.
I understand that the Chairperson (Dr. Mary Kelly) and the Deputy Chairperson (Mr. Conall Boland) of An Bord Pleanála attended the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on 9 October 2012, and the Chairperson subsequently attended that Committee on 12 November 2013.
The Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála was appointed by the Government with effect from 29 August 2011.
The Deputy Chairperson was appointed, by the then Minister, Mr. Dick Roche, as an ordinary member of An Bord Pleanála with effect from 1 January 2007. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Chairperson, by my predecessor, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., with effect from 30 May 2012 and reappointed to that role with effect from 1 January 2014.
497. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water will develop an effective communications strategy on swift customer notification of supply interruptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31344/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has a robust communications strategy in place to deal with supply interruptions, both planned and unplanned.
I am informed that, since April 2014, Irish Water, under the Service Level Agreements negotiated with local authorities, is the main point of contact for queries on supply outages and it organises for the relevant local authority to respond. For major incidents, operational communications on the incident continue to be provided by the relevant local authority through existing communications channels. Centrally, Irish Water had a Crisis Management Team working with each affected local authority which ensures regular updates to local radio stations, customers and local representatives on the evolving position in the area, in line with the existing communications protocols in that local authority.
Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
498. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct or request Irish Water to develop a strategy for the speedy and effective handling of questions from elected representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31345/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra499. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct or request Irish Water to answer a question which it has failed, refused or neglected to do for half a year on whether it plans to maintain the current level of Lough Derg as part of its water abstraction plan for Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31346/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra500. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will direct or request Irish Water to answer a question which it has failed, refused or neglected to do for half a year on whether it will participate in the percent for art scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31347/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 498 to 500, inclusive, together.
Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services including the provision of water services infrastructure.
My Department asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.
Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
I understand that in the four months from the inception of the service, the support desk in Irish Water has received and responded to some 2,100 telephone calls, e-mails and letters from public representatives. The Oireachtas Members email service alone has received and responded to over 400 e-mails.
501. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the pyrite remediation scheme to County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31377/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pyrite remediation scheme, which was published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in February of 2014, was developed having regard to the recommendations set out in the report of the independent Pyrite Panel and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013. The Panel was established in September 2011 to explore options for a resolution to the problem of pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material which at that time had manifested itself in dwellings in a number of areas. The Panel reported in July 2012.
It is a scheme of "last resort" and is limited in its application and scope. It is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In addition, applicants under the scheme must be able to demonstrate to the Board that they have no practicable options, other than under the scheme, to secure the remediation of their homes. The scheme applies to dwellings in the five local authority areas identified in the pyrite report - Meath, Kildare, Offaly and the administrative areas of Dublin City and Fingal. The Panel identified those areas following an extensive consultation process.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the pyrite remediation scheme and while the Act provides that the scheme can be amended, replaced or revoked, this can only be done in accordance with the scope of the Act. The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave resulting from the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance.
In this context, the scheme cannot be extended to include pyritic damage, or other forms of damage, which is not provided for in the Act.
502. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council had a deficit of €2,815,649 on its revenue account for the year ending 31 December 2008, a deficit of €3,232,961 for the year ending 31 December 2009, a deficit of €2,463,505 for the year ending 31 December 2010, a deficit of €2,973,000 for the year ending 31 December 2011 and a deficit of €2,455,000 for the year ending 31 December 2012 and that according to the most recent auditors report released in November 2013, the council's total revenue, capital debt has grown to €94 million; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that according to the most recent annual financial statement dated 1 of July 2014, the council incurred a further deficit of €1.9 million for the year ending 31 December 2013; if it is the intention of his Department to provide the €15 million bailout sought by the council on 17 of February 2014 in order to address the council's accumulated debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31378/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No.152 of 8 May 2014. The position is unchanged .
503. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reconsider his decision to subsume Leader partnerships into the new local authority structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31409/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no intention to subsume local development companies, or LEADER partnerships, into local authority structures. What is envisaged, however, is a more integrated local development model under which local development companies and local authorities implement a more joined-up approach to local and community development programming.
This will be brought about through new Local Community Development Committees being established in each local authority area. These Committees will have responsibility for overseeing a range of public-funded local and community development programmes, and will comprise local authority members and officials, State agencies, community and voluntary interests, and local development companies.
As well as being key partners on the Committees, the companies will continue to implement programmes as they have in the past, subject to any public procurement requirements that will apply to those programmes.
504. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects the report on matters raised by a person (details supplied) to be made available. [31412/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 355, 357 to 361, inclusive, and 363 of 24 June 2014.
It is expected that further legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General will be provided in the near future, thus informing the next steps to be taken in relation to the matter concerned.
505. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the office of planning regulator as recommended by Mahon report will be established. [31413/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 354 of 24 June 2014.
The Government considered the findings of the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal at its meeting on 27 March 2012 and published its response to the Final Report recommendations on 19 July 2012. This response is available on my Department’s website, at the following weblink: http://www.flood-tribunal.ie/asp/Reports.asp?objectid=310&Mode=0&RecordID=504.
The Final Report contained a total of 64 recommendations for further consideration, relevant to a number of Government Departments. In relation to those recommendations relevant to my Department, action on their implementation is being progressed through a number of legislative reforms and commitments in the Programme for Government, including the development of a successor to the National Spatial Strategy and the establishment of the Office of the Planning Regulator. Such commitments require significant statutory underpinning, and I intend to bring legislative proposals on these matters to Government shortly.
506. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the work being done to deal with voids in local authority housing stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31458/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, my Department announced details of a new measure, with funding of €15 million, for the refurbishment of vacant and boarded-up local authority houses in order to return these to productive use as quickly as possible. This investment is facilitating the refurbishment of 952 vacant houses across the country.
As part of the Government’s €200 million stimulus for the construction sector, announced in May, a further €15 million is being provided for the refurbishment of additional units. Last week, my Department announced details of the allocation of this €15 million to local authorities, which will facilitate the refurbishment of a further 1,008 vacant local authority units. This brings to €30 million the amount invested in this important programme and will result in almost 2,000 homes becoming available for families on the housing waiting list.
507. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider an appeals mechanism for persons who wish to appeal a non-principal private residence penalty imposed on them, specifically for owners of second properties who live abroad and can prove they were living abroad when the non-principal private residence tax was introduced and were not aware of their liability until they received a letter imposing five years' charges and penalties of more than €3,200. [31462/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non Principal Private Residence Charge. The NPPR Charge, 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. It is a matter for an owner, whether resident in Ireland or elsewhere, to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the Charge and any late payment fees applicable.
The 2009 Act places the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.
Part 12 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 deals with the collection of undischarged liabilities relating to the NPPR charge. The Act provides for a period, commencing on 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. It is very much in the interest of non-compliant owners to come forward 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. All non-compliant owners should log on to www.nppr.ie, or alternatively contact their local authority and make arrangements to discharge their outstanding payments before 1 September 2014 to avoid incurring additional fees.
508. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if additional funding will be provided to Kerry County Council to construct single rural cottages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31464/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 12 February 2014 my Department allocated €468,343 to Kerry County Council for the construction of single rural dwellings. I have no plans to provide additional funding for this measure at this time. The matter will be further considered in the context of the Council’s proposed work programme under my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme for 2015.
509. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if rebates are available in a local election expenses situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31477/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no provision in electoral law for the reimbursement of election expenses incurred by a candidate at a local election.
510. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to address concerns that Dublin city centre is run down and that certain areas need to be renewed, including worn down shopfronts; his plans to introduce measures to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31478/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe downturn in economic activity associated with the recession has resulted in significant numbers of shop closures and vacant units in town and city centres. Other factors, such as upward only rent reviews, parking charges, rising energy costs and on-line trading have also undermined the viability of small and medium-sized businesses in the retail sector, with adverse implications for the fabric of our urban centres.
To help address this issue, a number of initiatives have been taken by my Department in recent years, as follows:
- local authorities were requested to exercise restraint, or where possible, to reduce commercial rates and local charges to assist local businesses in the current economic climate – the vast majority of local authorities have responded positively to this request,
- revised development contribution guidelines were introduced last year requesting planning authorities to put in place reduced development contributions to support town and city centre development and incentivise activity in the areas prioritised for development in the relevant core strategy, which resulted, for example, in an acknowledged 26% reduction in contributions applied to developments in the 4 Dublin local authority areas,
- the publication of new guidelines on retail planning last year aimed at promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of town and city centres. These guidelines are aimed at ensuring that planning supports competitiveness in the retail sector, promotes and supports the viability and vitality of city and town centres, and contributes to a high standard of urban design, encouraging greater use of sustainable transport.
In terms of Government action other than by my Department in providing assistance to retail businesses and stimulating economic activity in local communities, a number of measures have been introduced since 2011, including -
- the introduction of the 9% rate of VAT on certain goods and services,
- the halving of the lower rate of employers’ PRSI,
- the introduction of the croenterprise Loan Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which have had take-up from the retail sector, and
- the extension of seed capital and the employment and investment incentive scheme to the retail sector.
My Department remains committed to working with other Government Departments, with local government and with other community development and enterprise stakeholders with a view to providing a clear framework for addressing urban centre decline and its impacts on the retail sector, and will continue to explore all options for further action in this regard.
511. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will hear the results of its foreshore application for the baths site in Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31485/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe environmental assessment of the foreshore application concerned, submitted by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, has been concluded and a report on the application by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee is in preparation.
My Department is in discussions with the applicant on issues concerning existing property consents and conveyances. I will make a determination on the application following the finalisation of these discussions.
512. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Dublin Array's foreshore application for a wind farm in Dublin Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31486/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsideration of foreshore applications for offshore energy developments, other than for site investigation works, was placed on hold by my Department pending the publication of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP). The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources published the OREDP in February 2014. My Department is reviewing its approach to progressing all applications for offshore energy developments currently on hands in the context of the plan and other relevant policy developments.
All documentation received in regard to the foreshore lease application referred to in the Question can be viewed via my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Foreshore/Applications SubjecttoEIA/BrayOffshoreWindLtd/.
