Written Answers Nos. 256-267
256. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department is involved with the health and safety concerns at a refuse centre (details supplied) in County Cork; the actions he will take to ensure that the concerns of the residents are being met; the assurances he will provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36188/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe facility in question operates under a waste licence granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I have no role in relation to the monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to waste licences. These are matters for the EPA and I am precluded under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 from exercising any power in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases under the Act.
257. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review and streamline the planning process across councils and to reduce the cost involved and the necessity for various drawings and photomontages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36214/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department placed a public advertisement on 31 January 2014 stating that it was intended to review and update the Development Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2007 and that as part of that process, the Department would consider, in relation to the planning application process, whether changes should be made in order to improve the efficiency of the process while continuing to provide for appropriate and necessary public participation and environmental assessment. It was also stated that the Department will also consider whether further changes should be made to the exempted development provisions of the Regulations, specifically whether it is appropriate to exempt further development from the requirement to obtain planning permission.
Approximately 65, generally detailed, submissions were received and these are being considered in my Department. Any person or body who did not make a submission may still do so.
Also the High Level Group on Business Regulation, which comes under the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation has set up a Planning Sub-Group, representative of both Government Departments, business interests and professional planning agents/planners. The Sub-Group, which held its first meeting recently, intends to make recommendations for any appropriate amendments to improve the planning application process.
My Department has decided to deal firstly with the matter of the exemption of further development from the requirement to obtain permission, and it is intended to bring Regulations on this matter to the Oireachtas, as required by section 262 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, in early 2015.
Following that, it is intended to give legislative effect to any recommendations for the streamlining of the planning application process, which might arise from my Department’s consideration of the submissions referred to above, and the input of the Planning Sub-Group of the High Level Group on Business Regulation.
258. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water is working on developing a means for householders to read their own water meters in order to assist them in monitoring their water usage, such that Irish Water would have a similar system in place to the electricity and gas meters installed in households across the country. [36224/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No . 243 of 18 September 2014. The position is unchanged.
259. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the review of the shared ownership scheme with particular reference to the 4.5% rental increase which had previously been suspended and which is causing hardship for many householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2013, I asked the Housing Agency to conduct a standalone review of the shared ownership scheme, including identification of the main difficulties and recommendations for mitigating measures. While I have received an initial draft of the review from the Agency, a number of issues have been identified that need further detailed financial analysis in order to fully assess the impact on local authority finances of possible mitigating measures. This data collection exercise has been initiated and will inform future actions. Pending full conclusion of this review, my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities setting out some of the options and interim actions that might be explored to alleviate the difficulties of those in shared ownership distress such as allowing use of the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process and room rental for Shared Ownership mortgage holders. It is accepted that these proposals are not a complete solution to the issues that arise for such mortgage holders but are intended as an interim measure pending the outcome of the review.
I fully recognise that shared ownership home owners, amongst others, have been affected by issues such as unemployment and possible negative equity. In such cases, borrowers should actively engage with their lenders, whether a commercial financial institution or a local authority, to seek to avail of one of the options available to provide sustainable solutions to distressed mortgages.
260. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason his Department is delaying the legal transfer of 30 land parcels from ten local authorities (details supplied) to the Housing Agency under the land aggregation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36316/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Land Aggregation Scheme, lands accepted into the scheme must be transferred to the ownership of the Housing Agency. The Housing Agency is responsible for managing the transfer process including technical and legal aspects. Of the 73 sites accepted into the Land Aggregation Scheme, 44 have now transferred to the ownership of the Housing Agency. The rate of land transfers under the scheme has increased in recent months, with 10 additional sites transferred in the period from November 2013 to September 2014.
Under the Scheme a technical and legal 'due diligence assessment' is carried out by the Housing Agency to determine if each site is suitable for inclusion. As part of the due diligence assessment the Housing Agency can direct that, as a condition of site transfer, particular works be carried out or that other issues identified, in respect of a particular site under consideration, be resolved. The Housing Agency would in turn advise local authorities of any such requirements.
It is a matter for the relevant local authority and the Housing Agency to resolve all outstanding matters affecting the transfer. In particular, the relevant local authority must ensure that transfer conditions are met and the Housing Agency must satisfy itself that the required actions have been satisfactorily undertaken prior to any land transfer.
My Department continues to maintain regular contact with the Housing Agency regarding progress made on land transfers and the potential development of such lands. I have asked the Housing Agency to continue to prioritise the transfer of lands and to work with local authorities in progressing transfers.
261. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a detailed timetable or schedule with a breakdown by area showing when water meters will be installed in Waterford city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36324/14]
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 necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme. The meter installation programme commenced in August 2013 and will be completed by mid-2016. The timeframe and the allocation of resources for the installation of meters in each region is an operational matter for Irish Water.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email at: oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
262. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the town and village sewerage scheme proposals from each local authority; the status of each scheme; the type of treatment plant proposed; the schemes where sites are purchased; the estimated cost to develop each scheme proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36334/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this is available on the Irish Water website, www.water.ie.
Irish Water 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.
263. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the intention by Irish Water to reduce pressure or supply to a home where there is a dispute over payment of charges will impact upon the ability of the emergency services, in particular the fire brigade; if a health and safety audit has been undertaken with regard to this issue and if he will publish the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36361/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. Section 21 of 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. Section 21 ( 6) of the Act provides that such charges do not apply to a fire authority within the meaning of the Fire Services Act. Irish Water has also confirmed to my Department that its operations will not interfere with the work of a fire authority.
264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, considering the large volumes of water that are typically used during construction and which are sourced on-site, he will indicate the likeliest scenario where construction work is required on a home following an accident such as a fire or a flood and the insurance company involved must now pay for the water used; if Irish Water has consulted with insurance industry representatives on this issue; if Irish Water has forewarned customers that there is a possibility that home insurance premia will rise as a result of the introduction of water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36363/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 475 of 23 September 2014 which deals with this matter. It should also be noted that construction and building activity constitutes a non-domestic use of water.
265. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance and financial supports available for local communities who are interested in developing independent living facilities in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme provides funding to approved housing bodies, through the local authorities, of up to 100% of the approved costs of accommodation for people with specific categories of housing need, including older persons, people with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, the homeless, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence.
More specific details for local communities who are interested in developing independent living facilities in their areas can be accessed through their local authority.
266. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the feasibility of reed bed treatment plants for public sewerage schemes on an environment friendly, energy saving and overall cost benefit basis and if he will be pursuing a policy of promoting these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36373/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published the Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICW) - Guidance Document for Farmyard Soiled Water and Domestic Wastewater Applications, in November 2010. Support for ICWs was provided in the past by my Department under the water services capital programme as it was considered that such wetlands could provide a sustainable, cost-effective means of treating wastewater and could also provide ancillary services such as carbon sequestration, habitat provision and flood attenuation.
Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure.
Irish Water 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.
267. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water will release the final details of the first fix free policy; if this policy will not commence until 1 January 2015 as reported; the way it is planned to deal with leaks which have already been identified; if Irish Water expects leaks to go unfixed until the policy is in place or if the citizen will be forced to pay where the leak is on their side; if Irish Water has a list of such cases; how and in what timeframe it is addressing each case on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36375/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the answer to Questions Nos. 188 and 189 of 24 September 2014. The position is unchanged.
