Written Answers Nos. 514-40
514. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will amend the conditions of the social inclusion community activation programme to allow the National Collective of Community Based Women's Networks to submit a national application on behalf of local women's networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31513/14]
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 services to clients, the Programme will be subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway. The closing date for receipts of expressions of interest under Stage 1 of the process was noon on 11 July 2014.
The public procurement process is a competitive process that is open to Local Development Companies, other not-for-profit community groups, commercial firms and national organisations that can provide the services to be tendered for to deliver the new Programme. Joint applications are encouraged and organisations of varying sizes (for example smaller organisations working in consortia with larger organisations) are invited to submit joint applications. Applicants at stage one of the tendering process must demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the delivery of services in the Lot(s) applied for. 31 “Lots” are being offered for tender, based on Local Authority areas – in some cases these may be divided into smaller units at Stage two.
Partner Candidates have a role in the delivery and implementation of the programme. All such Partner Candidates must be identified in the Qualification Questionnaire and a contracting arrangement may be required between the Lead Candidate and any Partner Candidates. Candidates may rely on the resources of other entities in order to satisfy the suitability requirements on condition that they can prove to the satisfaction of Pobal that they will have these resources at their disposal when necessary. I am satisfied that the procurement process underway is in line with best practice and that the procurement documentation on e-Tenders contains all the relevant information on the process. I look forward to the outcome of the procurement process and the roll out of SICAP in January 2015.
515. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that boundary fencing provided by Sligo Borough Council and funded by his Department a number of years ago as part of the refurbishment scheme for Garavogue Villas, County Sligo, needs to be replaced; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that householders in the estate have requested that the fencing be replaced at the earliest possible time; if he has received a submission from the local authority in Sligo seeking funding and approval to replace the fencing; if the funding for the replacement of the fencing will be approved and recouped from his Department's regeneration allocation for County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31518/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock, including the funding and carrying out of repairs or replacement of boundary fencing, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. There are no proposals with my Department in relation to this matter.
516. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of public relations and communications to his Department in 2013; the spend to date in 2014; the total estimate for 2014; the corresponding figures for each agency funded from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31528/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 402 of 15 April, 2014. My Department’s Press Office normally provides communications advice to the nister as required. My Department is currently reviewing its communications structures and this may have implications for costs incurred in future. The management of communications in relation to agencies funded by my Department is a matter for the agencies concerned.
517. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cén beartas atá aige lena chinntiú go bhfuil soláthar ceart uisce ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta; céard iad na bearta atá i gceist aige a dhéanamh le soláthar ceart uisce a chur ar fáil láithreach ar Inis Meáin agus Inis Oírr i bhfianaise na ciondála uisce atá ar bun ar na hoileáin seo agus an ghanntanais uisce atá orthu i lár an tséasúir turasóireachta; an bhfuil sé i gceist aige, sa mheántréimhse, airgead a chur ar fáil le huasghrádú a dhéanamh ar an gcóras uisce ar na hoileáin seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31538/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra518. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil an bhfuil sé sásta díolúine ó tháillí uisce a chur ar fáil do phobal Inis Oírr agus Inis Meáin de bharr na n-easpaí atá ar an gcóras uisce ar na hoileáin sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31539/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 518 together.
Ón 1ú Eanáir 2014, is é Uisce Éireann atá freagrach as seirbhísí uisce poiblí. Forálann an tAcht um Sheirbhísí Uisce (Uimh. 2) 2013 gur féidir le hUisce Éireann táillí a bhailiú as custaiméirí atá ag fáil na seirbhísí uisce a cuireann sé ar fáil. Comh maith le sin, forálann an tAcht gurb é an Choimisiún um Rialáil Fuinnimh (CRF) atá freagrach as rialáil eacnamaíoch neamhspleách ar an earnáil uisce. Tugtar freagracht reachtúil chun leasaithe custaméirí a chosaint go dtí an CRF freisin.
Rinne Uisce Éireann foilsiú le déanaí ar Phlean Infheistíocht Caipitil atá beartaithe acu idir 2014-16 agus tá an plean seo ar fáil ar shuíomh idirlín Uisce Éireann www.water.ie. Is ceist d’Uisce Éireann anois í dul chun cinn gach tionscnamh caipitil seirbhís uisce.
Faoi Rialacháin an Chomhphobal Eorpach 2014 (Uisce Óil), cóip de atá ar fáil i leabharlann an Oireachtais, ní mór do sholáthraithe uisce óil a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann an t-uisce a sholáthraítear le na paraiméadar ceimiceach agus micribhitheolaíoch atá leagtha amach sna Rialacháin.
In Iúil 2014, eisítear treoir beartais chuig an CRF ar roinnt cúrsaí a bhaineann le táillí uisce tí, de réir ailt 42 den Acht. Sholáthair an treoir polasaí go gcinnteodh an CRF go gclúdaíonn an plean um tháillí uisce suíomhanna ina bhfuil caighdeán na seirbhísí uisce a chuireann Uisce Éireann ar fail laghdaithe nó teoranta, (mar shampla fógraí fiuchadh uisce).
Tá an cur chuige do tháillí atá molta ag Uisce Éireann leagtha amach i bplean táillí uisce, a sheoltar chuig an CRF i gcomhréir le forálacha an Achta um Sheirbhísí Uisce (Uimh. 2) 2013. Is é an CRF atá freagrach as an phlean a cheadú. Tuigim go gcuirfidh an CRF tús le comhairliúchán poiblí go luath i ndáil leis an phlean táillí uisce. Tá sonraí iomlána ar phleananna comhairliúcháin phoiblí an CRF le fáil ar a láithreán gréasáin (www.cer.ie).
Tá sé curtha in iúl ag Uisce Éireann do mo Roinn go bhfuil foireann toimnaithe bunaithe acu chun déaláil le toscaireachtaí agu ceisteanna ó ionadaithe poiblí. Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an bhfoireann seo ag an seoladh ríomhphoist oireachtasmembers@water.ie nó ag an uimhir guthán 1890 278 278.
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 its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied complies with the chemical and microbiological parameters set out in the Regulations.
In July 2014, a policy direction was issued to the CER in accordance with section 42 of the 2013 Act on a number of matters relating to domestic water charges. The policy direction provided that the CER shall ensure that the water charges plan should make provision for circumstances where the quality of water services provided by Irish Water to customers is impaired or where services are reduced or restricted (e.g. boil water notices).
The proposed approach to charging has been outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan which it has submitted to the 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).
Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
519. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil céard iad na pleananna atá aige leis an gClár um Chuimsiú Sóisialta agus Clár Leader a sheachadadh sa Ghaeltacht; an bhfuil sé i gceist aige freastal ar an nGaeltacht ar fad trí chomhlacht amháin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31540/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDéanann na moltaí atá leagtha amach i Putting People First – Action Plan for Effective Local Government iarracht rialtais áitiúil a lonnú "mar phríomh-fheithicil rialachais agus seirbhís poiblí ag leibhéal áitiúil – ag tabhairt cinnireacht eacnamaíochta, sóisialta agus forbairt pobail, ag cur seirbhísí éifeachtúla agus dea-luacha i bhfeidm, agus ag tabhairt ionadaíochta éifeachtach agus cuntasach ar son saoránaigh agus pobail áitiúla ".
Mar chuid den chlár athchóirithe rialtais áitiúil, tá Coistí Forbartha Pobail Áitiúil (CFPÁ) á mbunú i ngach ceantar údaráis áitiúil. Beidh na Coistí seo, a chuimsíonn leasanna socheacnamaíochta poiblí-príobháideacha, freagrach as cláir fhorbartha pobail áitiúla ar bhonn ceantair lena n-áirítear an Clár Gníomhachtúcháin Pobail agus Cuimsiú Sóisialta (SICAP). Forbróidh siad agus déanfaidh siad comhordú agus cur i bhfeidhm ar fhorbairt áitiúil agus pobail ag úsáid cur chuige níos comhtháite ná roimhe seo, leis an aidhm dúbail agus forluí a laghdú agus an úsáid is fearr a fháil as na hacmhainní atá ar fáil ar leas saoránaigh agus pobail.
Tá SICAP ar cheann de na tosaíochtaí is tábhachtaí dom. Déanfar cinneadh maidir lena mbuiséid don bhliain seo chugainn i bpróiseas Meastacháin 2015, de réir chleachtas idirnáisiúnta, an Chóid Chaiteachas Poiblí, chomhairle dlí agus chun a chinntiú go ndéantar seirbhísí a chur i bhfeidhm ar ard-caighdeán do chliaint, beidh an Clár faoi réir phróiseas soláthair phoiblí, atá ar siúl faoi láthair. Ba é an 11 Iúil 2014 an dáta deiridh le haghaidh admháil léirithe spéise faoi Chéim 1 den phróiseas.
Is próiseas iomaíoch é an próiséas soláthair phoiblí atá oscailte do Chuideachtaí Áitiúla Forbartha, grúpaí eile pobail neamhbhrabúis, gnónna tráchtála agus eagraíochtaí náisiúnta gur féidir leo na seirbhísí atá le tairiscint don Chlár nua a sheachadadh. Spreagtar comh-iarratais agus tugtar cuireadh do heagraíochtaí de mhéideanna éagsúla(mar shampla eagraíochtaí beaga ag obair i dteannta le heagraíochtaí níos mó) comh-iarratais a chur isteach. Ní mór d'iarratasóirí sa chéad chéim den phróiseas tairisceana a thaispeáint go gcomhlíonann siad na critéir do sheachadadh seirbhísí sa Mhír(eanna) a dhéanann siad iarratas ar/orthu. Tá 31 "Mír" á gcur ar fáil faoin bpróiseas tairisceana, bunaithe ar limistéir na nÚdarás Áitiúil - i gcásanna áirithe is féidir iad seo a roinnt isteach in aonaid níos lú ag Céim a dó den bpróiseas. Cuireadh Ceantair Ghaeltachta agus Oileán san áireamh sna Míreanna a chlúdaíonn na húdaráis áitiúla faoi seach.
Tá ról ag iarrthóirí Comhpháirtí i gcur i bhfeidhm an chláir. Ní mór d’iarrthóirí Comhpháirtí den sórt sin a shainaithint sa Cheistiúchán maidir le Cáilíocht agus féadfaidh socrú conarthach a bheith ag teastáil idir an Iarrthóra Luaidhe agus aon iarrthóirí Comhpháirtí. Is féidir le hiarrthóirí brath ar acmhainní eiseadh eile d'fhonn na riachtanais oiriúnachta a shásamh ar choinníoll gur féidir leo a chruthú chun sástacht Phobal go mbeidh na hacmhainní sin ar fáil dóibh nuair is gá.
Táim sásta go bhfuil an próiseas soláthair ar siúl i gcomhréir leis an gcleachtas is fearr agus go bhfuil an t-eolas ábhartha ar fad, maidir leis an bpróiseas, ar an doiciméadú atá ar r-Tairiscintí. Táim ag tnúth le toradh an phróisis sholáthair agus ar leathnú amach SICAP i mí Eanáir 2015.
Maidir le pleananna do LEADER, cuireadh an dréacht Clár Forbartha Tuaithe (CFT) 2014-2020 Oibriúcháin faoi bhráid an Choimisiún Eorpaigh agus is féidir téacs an chláir iomláin a fháil ar an nasc seo http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/EURuralDevelopment/RuralDevelopmentProgrammeLEADER2014-2020/.
Léiríonn an doiciméad seo na socruithe do sheachadadh na gnéithe LEADER den CFT i gceantair thuaithe agus cur síos ar na limistéir 28 fo-réigiúnach a mbeidh Straitéisí Forbartha Áitiúla LEADER (SFA) a fhorbairt. Sa chomhthéacs seo agus mar chuid den phróiseas roghnaithe SFA beidh mo Roinn ag iarraidh ar SFA amháin agus Grúpa Gníomhaíochta Áitiúil amháin do gach chontae taobh amuigh de chontae Chorcaí áit a mbeidh 3 Ghrúpaí Gníomhaiochta Áitiúla ag teastáil. I gcomhthéacs na ceantair Ghaeltachta beidh na critéir maidir le roghnú na SFA forbartha chun a chinntiú go gcaithfidh aon chontae ina bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta aghaidh a thabhairt go sonrach ar riachtanais na bpobal Gaeltachta agus cuid airithe dá dháil airgeadúil LEADER a imfhállú mar chuid den phróiseas forbartha SFA.
520. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil céard iad na socruithe atá i gceist le Clár Leader a sheachadadh i gContae na Gaillimhe, cé mhéid comhlacht a bheidh ann le Clár Leader a sheachadadh sa chontae; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31541/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCuireadh dréacht den Chlár Forbartha Tuaithe 2014-20 faoi bhráid an Choimisiún Eorpaigh agus tá sé ar fáil ar an nasc seo -http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/EURuralDevelopment/RuralDevelopmentProgrammeLEADER2014-2020/.
Tugann an doiciméad seo achoimre ar na socraíochtaí a chuirfear ar fáil maidir le seachadadh an CFT i gceantair tuaithe agus tugann sé freisin mionsonrú ar an 28 fo-cheantar áitiúla ina bhforbrófar Stráitéisí LEADER Forbairt Áitiúil (SFÁ). Sa chomhthéacs seo agus mar chuid den bpróiseás roghnúcháin SFÁ déanfaidh mo Roinn SFÁ amháin agus Grúpa Áitiúil Gniomhaíochta amháin a iarrfaidh chun fo-cheantar Co. na Gaillimhe a chlúdach.
The draft Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 was submitted to the European Commission and is available on the following weblink - http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/EURuralDevelopment/RuralDevelopmentProgrammeLEADER2014-2020/.
The document outlines the arrangements for the delivery of the LEADER elements of the RDP in rural areas and details the 28 sub-regional areas for which LEADER Local Development Strategies (LDS) will be developed. In this context and as part of the LDS selection process my Department will request one LDS and one Local Action Group to cover the sub-regional area of County Galway.
521. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements being put in place to deliver the Leader and social inclusion programmes of his Department on the offshore islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31543/14]
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 services to clients, the Programme will be subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway. The closing date for receipts of expressions of interest under Stage 1 of the process was noon on 11 July 2014.
The public procurement process is a competitive process that is open to Local Development Companies, other not-for-profit community groups, commercial firms and national organisations that can provide the services to be tendered for to deliver the new Programme. Joint applications are encouraged and organisations of varying sizes (for example smaller organisations working in consortia with larger organisations) are invited to submit joint applications. Applicants at stage one of the tendering process must demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the delivery of services in the Lot(s) applied for. 31 “Lots” are being offered for tender, based on Local Authority areas – in some cases these may be divided into smaller units at Stage two. Gaeltacht areas and the Islands have been included in the Lots for the respective local authorities. Partner Candidates have a role in the delivery and implementation of the programme. All such Partner Candidates must be identified in the Qualification Questionnaire and a contracting arrangement may be required between the Lead Candidate and any Partner Candidates. Candidates may rely on the resources of other entities in order to satisfy the suitability requirements on condition that they can prove to the satisfaction of Pobal that they will have these resources at their disposal when necessary.
I am satisfied that the procurement process underway is in line with best practice and that the procurement documentation on e-Tenders contains all the relevant information on the process. I look forward to the outcome of the procurement process and the roll out of SICAP in January 2015.
The draft Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 was submitted to the European Commission and can be found on my Departments website at the following weblink:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/EURuralDevelopment/RuralDevelopmentProgrammeLEADER2014-2020/.
The document outlines the arrangements for the delivery of the LEADER elements of the RDP in rural areas and details the 28 sub-regional areas for which LEADER Local Development Strategies (LDS) will be developed. In this context and as part of the LDS selection process my Department will request one LDS and one Local Action Group to cover each county outside of the county of Cork where 3 Local Action Groups will be required. In the context of offshore islands the criteria for the selection of the Local Development Strategies will be developed to ensure that any county that has an offshore island will be required to specifically address the needs of the island communities and ring fence a specific proportion of their LEADER financial allocation as part of the LDS development process.
522. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total funding provided under the Leader programme 2007-2013; the amount of this provided for projects; the amount spent to date broken down between projects and administration; the amount spent on projects this year and the total funding left for spending on projects and administration respectively; the latest date given by his Department to have projects completed and claims made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31544/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current value of the Axes 3 and 4 elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is €370 million. In addition, €5 million has been provided for an Axis 1 Agri-food measure. Up to a maximum of 20% of the total expenditure can be used to defray administration expenses leaving a minimum of 80% of the funding available for projects and animation expenses.
To date, €211.9 million has been spent on projects, €12 million on animation expenses and €57.3 million on administration, giving a total of €281.2 million.
The spend to date in 2014 is €37.4 million. Of this, €32 million relates to projects and I expect this to increase steadily over the coming months. There are outstanding project commitments of €73.5 million under the Programme. The 20% administration associated with this would be €14.7 million.
My Department has allowed LEADER project promoters’ contracts to be extended to the 30th September 2014. If an extension of time is required beyond that point it is a matter for the relevant Local Action Group (LAG) to present an argument on a case by case basis to my Department outlining the circumstances. In any event no extension will be granted beyond the end of November 2014, as LAG contracts expire at end of December 2014.
523. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason no funding has been awarded to Muintir na Tíre under the scheme to support national organisations, as recently announced, in view of the vital role Muintir na Tíre plays in rural communities; if his attention has been drawn to the effect this will have on this long-standing national organisation; if he has received an application for emergency funding from this organisation to enable it to function while a review is sought of this decision in view of the late date the decision was given on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31548/14]
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. 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 preva iling resource constraints and approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 J une 2016. Muintir na Tíre is not one of the organisations approved for funding on this occasion. A letter has been received from this organisation requesting emergency funding. However, the budget to provide funding under the Scheme for 2014 has been fully allocated and does not include provision for interim funding. A reply has issued to the organisation in this regard.
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.
524. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of commercial rate collection in each local authority area in tabular form for each of the past three years. [31560/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation for each property, determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in finalising its annual budget. Rates income data are published by local authorities in their Annual Financial Statements. 2012 is the latest year for which audited local authority Annual Financial Statement data are available. Rates collection percentages for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 are set out in the table.
It is important to note that commercial rates income is shown in local authority budgets gross of write offs, vacancy refunds, etc. The arrears reported include amounts relating to arrears brought forward from previous years, which tends to reduce the overall collection percentage reported.
|
County Councils |
% Collected 2010 |
% Collected 2011 |
% Collected 2012 |
|
Carlow |
70% |
74% |
70% |
|
Cavan |
79% |
75% |
71% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Clare |
80% |
79% |
78% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cork |
83% |
82% |
79% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donegal |
64% |
57% |
62% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Fingal |
84% |
85% |
83% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
81% |
76% |
75% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Galway |
78% |
72% |
69% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kerry |
83% |
82% |
82% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kildare |
81% |
77% |
72% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
87% |
88% |
85% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Laois |
81% |
77% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Leitrim |
78% |
72% |
64% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Limerick |
90% |
87% |
82% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Longford |
85% |
81% |
82% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Louth |
67% |
59% |
55% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Mayo |
83% |
84% |
80% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Meath |
87% |
82% |
79% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Monaghan |
77% |
73% |
68% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
North Tipperary |
86% |
81% |
77% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Offaly |
93% |
92% |
92% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Roscommon |
77% |
79% |
78% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Sligo |
79% |
68% |
62% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
South Dublin |
80% |
74% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
South Tipperary |
88% |
84% |
85% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Waterford |
73% |
67% |
66% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Westmeath |
85% |
80% |
79% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wexford |
76% |
69% |
68% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wicklow |
77% |
74% |
71% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
City Councils |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cork |
81% |
79% |
76% |
|
Dublin |
82% |
80% |
80% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Galway |
64% |
62% |
62% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Limerick |
63% |
59% |
55% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Waterford |
86% |
81% |
78% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Town & Borough Councils |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Clonmel |
81% |
74% |
80% |
|
Drogheda |
72% |
62% |
60% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
75% |
72% |
75% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Sligo |
68% |
63% |
61% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wexford |
63% |
60% |
64% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Arklow |
53% |
47% |
45% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Athlone |
77% |
78% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Athy |
80% |
77% |
66% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ballina |
80% |
78% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ballinasloe |
76% |
71% |
68% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Birr |
74% |
68% |
70% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Bray |
71% |
69% |
62% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Buncrana |
38% |
45% |
45% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Bundoran |
64% |
68% |
68% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carlow |
73% |
72% |
66% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carrick on Suir |
70% |
73% |
75% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carrickmacross |
79% |
72% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cashel |
87% |
91% |
88% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Castlebar |
80% |
72% |
69% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Castleblayney |
46% |
48% |
41% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cavan |
68% |
65% |
54% |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Clonakility |
77% |
69% |
61% |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Clones |
57% |
61% |
54% |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Cobh |
71% |
75% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Dundalk |
61% |
60% |
56% |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Dungarvan |
50% |
51% |
52% |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Ennis |
70% |
57% |
54% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Enniscorthy |
72% |
64% |
68% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Fermoy |
87% |
69% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kells |
85% |
84% |
81% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Killarney |
67% |
63% |
64% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kilrush |
76% |
76% |
76% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kinsale |
68% |
58% |
55% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Letterkenny |
54% |
53% |
53% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Listowel |
86% |
84% |
87% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Longford |
72% |
67% |
58% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Macroom |
81% |
84% |
78% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Mallow |
81% |
86% |
86% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Midleton |
81% |
78% |
76% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Monaghan |
76% |
62% |
61% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Naas |
79% |
78% |
75% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
76% |
73% |
70% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Nenagh |
84% |
78% |
74% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
New Ross |
74% |
58% |
56% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Skibbereen |
78% |
72% |
73% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Templemore |
86% |
79% |
67% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Thurles |
73% |
68% |
62% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Tipperary |
90% |
79% |
75% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Tralee |
78% |
74% |
69% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
64% |
66% |
68% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Tullamore |
72% |
67% |
68% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Westport |
88% |
86% |
84% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Wicklow |
76% |
62% |
66% |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Youghal |
79% |
80% |
82% |
|
- |
- |
- |
525. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if and when he will be allocating funding under the mid-term review of the rural water programme 2014. [31561/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the allocations notified to local authorities earlier this year under my Department’s 2014 Rural Water Programme is currently under way. Authorities will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as possible.
526. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the water shortage problem on Inis Meáin; if he will confirm that responsibility for rectifying the problem lies with Irish Water; if the legislation establishing Irish Water contains provisions to empower him to direct that company to find a long-term solution to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31585/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services including the provision of capital infrastructure. Irish Water has recently published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this is available on the Irish Water website, www.water.ie.
Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via an email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
527. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department receives copies of the minutes of meetings of the City and County Managers' Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31594/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra528. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding his Department, either directly or indirectly, provide to the City and County Managers' Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31595/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 528 together.
The County and City Management Association (CCMA), formally the County and City Managers' Association, is the representative organisation of local government management and is also the vehicle through which senior managers in local government provide sectoral leadership across business and programme areas.
While the CCMA works closely with Government Departments and other key stakeholders on key public service delivery issues, my Department has no function in relation to its internal operations and does not provide funding to it, or receive minutes of its meetings.
529. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount paid by each county council and corporation to insure against liability for damages arising from the fluoridation of drinking water for each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31598/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsurance is an operational matter for each local authority and one in which my Department has no role.
530. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the detailed project appraisal including details of viability, full renovation costs and updated drawing which his Department sought from the local authority in Sligo in 2013 for the proposed refurbishment of the Gate Lodge at Doorly Park, County Sligo, in order to allow it to be used as a resource house by the local community in the Doorly Park-Martin Savage Terrace area; if his Department will make funding available for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31617/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sligo Regeneration project team is currently developing a social, economic and physical Masterplan for the East City Area. A public exhibition of the proposals that have emerged from the Master planning process so far is being presented to the local community over the course of one week, commencing on 14 July, 2014. No definitive decisions on projects such as the refurbishment of the Gate Lodge have been taken at this stage.
531. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department when launching the public area enhancement scheme indicated that works undertaken with funding from the scheme should be additional to work already planned; the level of funding provided by his Department for the scheme in County Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the largest allocation of funding in Sligo, a sum of €10,000, has been allocated to remove timber hoarding at a county council site at Connaughton Road, Sligo; if his Department has received any information from the council of the reason it is costing so much to remove the hoarding; if funding from the scheme was intended to be used for such work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31619/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the success of Gathering Ireland in 2013, my Department provided once-off funding to support local authorities’ efforts to prepare and maintain their public areas in an effort to maximise the economic benefits that can flow from increased visitors to their towns, cities and counties. A total of €2.975m was allocated to all city and county councils on a proportional basis based on population.
Local authorities were asked to undertake this work in co-operation with local community efforts, wherever possible. It was made clear that all work undertaken was to be additional to that already planned and that all funding to be provided under the Scheme should be met with 25% matching funding from the local authority. All work is to be completed by the end of September with full drawdown of funds required by the end of October 2014. In the event that projects carried out do not meet the requirements of the scheme, they will not be eligible for receiving grant funding under the scheme.
Sligo County Council received an allocation of €70,000 under the Scheme. The projects which were approved for funding are outlined in the table.
|
Location |
Project details |
Funding |
|
Ballymote, Tubbercurry, Enniscrone, Ballintogher, Coolaney, Riverstown, Mullaghmore, Grange, Knocknarea & Rosses Point |
Tidy Towns Committees & Public Realm Projects |
41,500 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
Festivals, events & agricultural shows |
Area enhancement in advance of community led events & festivals |
7,500 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
Sligo City |
Enhancement works & tourism projects within the Borough |
21,000 |
532. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council will carry out dredging at the channel to Sligo Harbour and that an application from Sligo County Council for a licence under the Foreshore Act to undertake the dredging works at the harbour was submitted to his Department on 28 February 2013; when his Department will make a decision to grant the licence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council cannot proceed to seek grant aid for the dredging until such time as the foreshore licence is granted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31620/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application by Sligo County Council to carry out dredging at Sligo Harbour was granted approval in principle on 20 May 2014. The Chief State Solicitor’s Office has been instructed to prepare the requisite legal documentation.
A delay in the decision arose due to a late response from one of the statutory consultees during the environmental assessment of the application.
533. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the reason his Department is planning to spend €4 million on upgrading the Irish Army air defence missile system in view of the fact that the Army has stated it is unlikely the missile system will be used to take out enemy aircraft at a time where funds are so urgently needed in areas such as health, education, social welfare and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31001/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe acquisition of new equipment for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service is a matter that is kept under constant review at a senior level in my Department and in the Defence Forces, through joint participation in the High Level Planning and Procurement Group. This Group is charged with identifying equipment requirements and agreeing on a procurement programme to provide the Defence Forces with the type and quantities of equipment necessary to carry out their assigned duties. These are all issues that are also being considered in the drafting of the new White Paper on Defence.
Decisions are made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis in accordance with operational priorities with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. Also, in the current economic climate the budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment and for equipment upgrades.
The operational requirement for an Air Defence capability within the Defence Forces is based on the White Paper on Defence (2000) which called for “a light infantry based force with an all-arms capability.” The knowledge and skills related to Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) is an essential core element of such a force design and will remain a fundamental capability into the future. Contingent military capability, if lost, is time consuming and expensive to replace.
The existing GBAD, RBS 70 system, which is 30 years old, now requires a major upgrade to allow it to meet with current and future capability requirements. Accordingly, a contract valued at €4.1m ex VAT, has recently been awarded to the original equipment manufacturer, Saab Dynamics AB, Sweden for an upgrade programme which will ensure that the system will remain as a state of the art GBAD system for at least the next fifteen to twenty years.
534. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 18 June 2014, the reason he said Doxycycline has to be taken in the absence of dairy products when a glance at the IBM website safety information states that if your stomach is upset Doxycycline can be taken with milk or cereal; and the way he can have confidence in the current Defence Forces anti-malaria policy when despite many experts they say they consulted, they have committed such a fundamental error. [31087/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) formerly The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) is the statutory authority with responsibility for the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland. The Defence Forces Medical Corps is advised that the three anti-malarial medications licensed by the IMB – Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone and Doxycycline – can all have significant side effects and protocols are in place to control the risk of side effects in individuals. As stated in previous PQ’s Doxycycline should be taken in the absence of dairy products. It has a daily dosage regime. While it can cause minor but troublesome, mainly gastrointestinal side effects, it can also produce sun-sensitivity skin rashes (akin to severe sun burn) in some individuals. Another possible side effect is heartburn. Calcium ions interfere with the absorption of the active ingredient into the blood stream from the bowel. The less calcium ions the greater the absorption and more effective the result. Milk products are rich in calcium. The compromise in respect of the possible side effect of heartburn is to take a little milk that lines the oesophagus/stomach and makes the medication more tolerable (albeit at the price of decreased absorption and efficacy).
The choice of chemoprophylaxis is dependent on a number of factors including the type of malaria in the destination, resistance to particular drugs, the profile of the traveller (contra-indications, underlying health conditions, purpose of travel), the duration of travel and adherence issues. The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces on the basis of best international practice having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.
535. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence when his Department will publish its annual report for 2013. [31124/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence and Defence Forces Annual Report 2013 was published on 4 July 2014 and was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the same date. The Report is available for viewing on the Department of Defence website at www.defence.ie under Publications.
536. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the total cost of public relations-communications to his Department in 2013; the spend to date in 2014; the total estimate for 2014; the corresponding figures for each agency funded from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31526/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department have not incurred any expenditure on external public relations or communications consultants in 2013 or to date in 2014. The Defence Forces engaged the services of one external communications company, The Communications Clinic, to provide training in 2013. The cost of the training was €875.
Neither my Department nor the Defence Forces anticipate any expenditure on external public relations or communications consultants in 2014.
537. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his estimate is of the potential value of the seaweed industry here in view of the fact that it is currently estimated to be worth €18 million per annum; his views on the potential number of employees the industry could support, in view of the fact that the industry currently employs 1,853 persons; if both the revenue generated by the industry and the employment provided by it will increase with the entry of Canadian Acadian Seaplants into the seaweed sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31488/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for the licensing of seaweed cultivation which at present operates on a very small scale. Most seaweed processing comes from the harvesting of wild seaweed, the licensing of which is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
My Department has asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara to prepare an information note on the market generally for seaweed production and I will be glad to forward this to the Deputy as soon as it is received.
538. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants involved in the conservation of farmland birds schemes (details supplied); the cost to the Exchequer for each of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31613/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ‘Conservation of Farmland Birds’ is a proposed action under the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) as recently submitted to the European Commission for approval as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020.
The scheme, which is a voluntary one, will be launched following approval by the European Commission and the number of applicants selecting the ‘Conservation of Farmland Birds’ approved into the scheme will determine the number of participants and the cost to the Exchequer.
539. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a dog pound (details supplied) in County Clare is killing dogs through intra-cardiac injection with no sedation given; if he will confirm that the practice is no longer being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30855/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Control of Dogs Act 1986 as amended by the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992, local authorities are responsible for all matters relating to dog control and dog pounds. I have referred this matter to the relevant local authority who inform me that the practice of euthanising dogs in the manner described is no longer taking place at the dog pound.
540. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the entitlements transfer from a person (details supplied) in County Cork to a third party will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31028/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received a Transfer of Entitlements application on 15 May, 2014, to transfer 30.81 standard entitlements from the above herd number to another herd number, by way of sale. This application has been processed and acceptance letters were issued on 10 July, 2014.
