Written Answers Nos. 303-314
303. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the realignment process of local development programmes under the Putting People First programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38893/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides, inter alia, a statutory framework for the closer alignment of the local government and local development sectors. A key element of the framework is the establishment of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in local authorities for the purpose of achieving a more joined-up approach to local and community development programming. LCDCs have now been established in all local authority areas. Their primary role will involve the development of the community elements of Local Economic Community Plans. Work on the Plans has commenced in most local authority areas and it is anticipated that the Plans will be approved in all areas by Autumn 2015.
LCDCs will also oversee and manage a range of local and community development programmes, including my Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and the LEADER Programme. The SICAP procurement process is currently underway. Stage one (Expression of Interest) has been completed and stage two (Invitation to Tender), which will be managed by the LCDCs, will commence before the end of October. It is expected that LCDCs will award contracts to successful tenderers in early 2015, with the programme commencing under LCDC management and oversight in April 2015.
Consideration of the new LEADER implementation arrangements is continuing and discussions are progressing at local level between the key stake holders to agree a single, integrated approach to LEADER strategy development and implementation. At national level, an Inter-Departmental Group on Local and Community Development (IDG) has been established to bring a cross-government approach to the planning, management and delivery of local and community development programmes. The IDG has met five times since its establishment in mid - 2013. It is overseeing the development of a national Framework Policy for Local and Community Development, as well as a common impact measurement and assessment framework for local and community programmes. The IDG has also commenced work on identifying a more cost effective approach to the allocation of administration funding to local and community development programmes and actions.
304. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of librarians in each local authority, by grade, from 2011 to date in 2014, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38895/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Information regarding the number of librarians in each local authority is not collated by my Department.
305. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for mergers of local authority library services; the local authorities that will share services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38896/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOpportunities for All, a Strategy for Public Libraries 2013-2017, recommends “a review of existing organisation structures - to establish stronger, more effective and efficient public libraries in the context of local government reform and shared services and new opportunities afforded by the strategy outcomes”. A working group was established to examine the potential for shared services in the public library service. The working group determined that the current structures in terms of organisation, workforce and service delivery are in need of reform in order for the public library service to be in a position to maximise service delivery opportunities and achieve best outcomes in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and customer service. The key challenge in the present structure is the need for the creation of scale for existing library authorities. In order to achieve this, the Working Group determined that a new shared services structure for library authorities should be established, with a minimum population target of 100,000 as an appropriate basis for determining a libraries’ shared services structure. A shared services structure for affiliated cities and counties should also be established, delivering a single management structure with consequent resource efficiencies.
The library service in each local authority will retain its own branding, logo etc., and the elected members in each authority will remain responsible for reserved functions in respect of the library service in their own area, including annual budgets and library development programmes.
The local authorities that are to share library services are Carlow/Kilkenny; Cavan/Monaghan; Laois/Offaly; Leitrim/Roscommon/Sligo; and Longford/Westmeath.
Cork City/Cork County, currently with affiliated services, would also become a shared service.
306. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of enforcement of regulations when installing certified septic tanks; if his attention has been drawn to rogue traders installing non-compliant tanks; the measures he has taken to address this issue if it exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38918/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations set out the legal requirements for the design and construction of buildings, including dwellings. Compliance with the Regulations is the responsibility of the owner or builder of a building or works. Part H of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 to 2014 sets out the requirements for the disposal of foul and surface water. The related Technical Guidance Document (TGD H 2010) provides guidance on how these requirements can be achieved in practice. In relation to the use of septic tanks, in particular, TGD H states that “Septic Tanks must conform to I.S. EN 12566 Part 1 or 4 including their national annexes and comply with the EPA Code of Practice - Section 7”. The relevant national annexes are published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland and set out clearly the performance requirements for septic tanks when used in Ireland. TGD H also states that the design, installation and commissioning of wastewater treatment systems should be carried out and/or supervised by a suitably qualified person. Under Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC (known as the Construction Products Regulation), any product tested to a harmonised standard can be put on the market in a Member State, including Ireland.
Any concerns in relation to the use of a septic tank that does not conform to the requirements outlined above should be brought to the attention of the local building control authority in whose functional area the dwelling concerned exists. Building control authorities are the designated authorities under the Building Control Act and under the Construction Products Regulations to consider such matters and I am satisfied that they have been given the appropriate powers to take whatever action they may deem to be reasonable and appropriate to enforce compliance by the responsible parties with their statutory obligations.
Any person in possession of evidence in relation to forged or fraudulent certificates for septic tanks should be advised to bring this to the attention of An Garda Síochána which is the appropriate authority in relation to this aspect of the matter.
307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when publication of the four key sectorial adaptation plans envisaged under the national policy position for tackling climate change will be; when the national adaptation plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38931/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Climate Change Adaptation Framework was published in December 2012. In relation to sectorial adaptation plans under the Framework, my Department chairs an inter-departmental steering committee to assist the relevant sectors in the work on developing their plans, which is on-going.
A key factor in the timing and progress of sectorial adaptation planning to date was the publication, in April 2013, of an EU Strategy on adaptation. A key part of this Strategy is the development of an “adaptation preparedness scoreboard” which is directly relevant to sectorial adaptation planning in Ireland, as it will identify key indicators for measuring Member States’ level of readiness. Discussions are on-going with the European Commission and Member States, and it is expected that the scoreboard will be finalised in due course. Once published, the intention would be to have the various sectorial adaptation plans adopted as soon as possible thereafter.
In parallel with the climate adaptation agenda, the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development provides for the development of a National Low-Carbon Roadmap to 2050 which is now being developed and it is within this context that Departments, with responsibility for the four key sectors, will be preparing the sectorial elements for incorporation into the national roadmap. The key sectors are electricity generation, the built environment, transport and agriculture. It is intended that a draft National Low-Carbon Roadmap, incorporating these four sectorial elements, will be made available for public consultation. In making the draft roadmap available, it will be important to also consider the outcome of negotiations on the EU’s 2030 policy framework for climate and energy and relevant advices available to Government and to the key sectors.
308. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to the Mayo north-east Leader partnership (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited due to the length of time since the original application was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38938/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. The relevant LAG in respect of the projects referred to is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP), which is the principal decision-maker in relation to the allocation of project funding in that area of Mayo. I understand that MNELP has received an application from the promoter in question. Decisions regarding which projects to fund will be made by the Board of MNELP in line with Programme Operating Rules and EU regulations and in the context of the local development strategy. Decisions are also dependent on the availability of funding. I understand that a final decision regarding this application is due to be made shortly.
309. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address a matter raised in correspondence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [38955/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2013, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of, a separate collection service for food waste from households, and householders are required to ensure that they either source segregate their food waste, keeping it separate from non-biodegradable materials, other waste and contaminants and make it available for collection by an authorised waste collector; or subject the food waste to a home composting process; or bring the food waste to an authorised facility with a view to its composting or anaerobic digestion or treatment in a way which fulfils a high level of environmental protection.
Enforcement of the Regulations is a matter for the local authorities and in cases where a collector has failed to provide an appropriate food waste collection service in a designated brown bin area, affected householders should contact the local authority concerned who have significant enforcement powers under the Regulations to secure compliance by both waste collectors and householders.
The successful roll-out of the brown bin is dependent on appropriate education and awareness measures being introduced to support households in using the brown bin correctly. In this regard my Department has worked with the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland to develop a website; www.brownbin.ie, to provide the public with the information required to use the brown bin appropriately, including advice on the optimal methods for effective collection and storage of food waste. I am confident that initiatives such as this can assist the public in the diversion of their food waste towards more beneficial uses and ensuring that full value can be derived from this resource.
310. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the water charges for different persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38967/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding water charges for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38996/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra346. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons in nursing homes are obliged to pay a vacant house water charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39249/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 314 and 346 together.
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from 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.
The CER has now issued a determination on the water charges plan submitted to it by Irish Water. Full details and associated documentation are available on the CER website at www.cer.ie/document-detail/CER-Water-Charges-Plan-Consultation/979.
In making its determination on the water charges plan, the CER had to take account of the decisions made by the Government on the funding model for Irish Water and a direction made under Section 42 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 in July 2014. This policy direction addressed a number of matters relating to domestic water charges including the provision of a free allowance of 30,000 litres of water supplied and waste water treated per annum for a primary residence on a public supply and a free allowance to cover the normal usage of water services by every child in their primary residence based on the same qualifying conditions as for child benefit, while customers with specific medical conditions which require increased water consumption will have their charges capped.
Irish Water has submitted analysis of water consumption patterns in Ireland to the CER and details of this are available on the CER website. The analysis is based on actual metered data and follow-on surveys with over 3,000 houses and it confirms that average consumption for a household is 66,000 litres per year for the first occupant and an average further 21,000 litres for each additional occupant. Data on consumption patterns will continue to be provided by Irish Water to the CER on a regular basis.
In its determination, the CER has decided that all customers will have their total water charges capped at the unmetered “assessed charge” for 9 months. The cap will apply from the start date of the next billing period after installation of the meter or 1 October 2014, whichever is the later.
In addition to the above, the Government has agreed to put in place further affordability measures to assist pensioners, persons with disabilities, and carers who receive the Household Benefits Package. The conditions and administrative approach to this additional measure are being developed by the Department of Social Protection.
Section 21 of the 2013 Act requires Irish Water to charge each customer for the provision by it of water services and therefore there are no exemptions from water charges for local authority tenants. For a domestic property that is not permanently occupied, the owner of the premises will be required to pay a minimum charge for water supply and for wastewater per service.
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.
311. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that Rural Resettlement Ireland Limited has operated within its objectives as a non-profit making charity and that the rents it has accrued are in accordance with this objective. [38971/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraRural Resettlement Ireland Limited is a housing body approved under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 for the purpose of the provision of housing relief. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) consist mainly of voluntary or co-operative organisations registered under the Companies Acts, societies registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Acts and/or Trusts incorporated under the Charities Acts. Compliance with the overall objectives of a body is a matter, in the just instance, for the body’s Board and Management. Rural Resettlement Ireland Limited has, in the past, received funding under both the Capital Assistance and Capital Loan and Subsidy Schemes. My Department’s role in relation to capital funding schemes for AHBs relates primarily to the provision of funds to support the annual construction and housing acquisitions programmes by the AHB concerned. It is a matter for the relevant housing authority to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the schemes and to have appropriate oversight and liaison arrangements in place for the effective administration of the schemes and for ensuring that the investment in voluntary housing is safeguarded.
This Government is committed to better regulation of the AHB sector. In July 2013, Building for the Future a voluntary regulation code for the approved housing body (AHB) sector was published. In February 2014 an interim Regulatory Committee was established to oversee the implementation of the code and to advise on the development of statutory regulation. A Regulation Office has also been established within the Housing Agency to manage the day to day functions of implementing the voluntary code. To date, just over 160 AHBs have signed up to the code and further details are available on the Agency’s website at http://www.housing.ie/Regulation.aspx.
In July 2014, the Government approved the preparation of the Heads of a Bill to provide for the statutory regulation and governance of AHBs. I expect that the finalised Heads of the Bill will be ready for submission to Government early in 2015. The interim period of voluntary regulation will be a valuable source of information as to the scope and final content of the Bill.
312. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposed changes designed to speed up the planning process and the way this will aid schools in the planning system. [38975/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department initiated a public consultation process on 31 January 2014 for the purpose of reviewing and updating the Development Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2007. As part of that process, it was indicated that consideration would be given to any changes to improve the efficiency of the planning application process while continuing to provide for appropriate and necessary public participation and environmental assessment. In addition, the High Level Group on Business Regulation - which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation - recently established a Planning Sub-Group, representative of both Government Departments, business interests and professional planning agents/planners to make recommendations for any appropriate amendments to improve the planning process generally, including improving its impacts on business.
The submissions received during the public consultation process on the review of the Development Management Guidelines are currently being examined by my Department. It is proposed to bring forward any necessary revisions to further streamline the planning process – which may also impact positively on school building projects - as soon as possible, following the receipt of the input from the Planning Sub-Group of the High Level Group on Business Regulation. Further reforms relating to the streamlining of the planning system, including in relation to e-planning i.e. the online submission of planning applications, will also be considered in the context of the forthcoming Planning and Development Bill.
