Tuesday, 18 Nov 2014

School Enrolments

Ceisteanna (485)

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

485. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the following change of policy at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 4. [44302/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria for the recognition of new schools specifies that a patron must confirm willingness to enrol children from the area for which the Department has identified the need for the school. In this regard, the school referred to by the Deputy was established to help meet the demographic increases in the general Dublin 2 and Dublin 4 areas. The reason for this requirement in the criteria is to ensure that children for whom the school was set up can have access to a school place and that they will not be displaced by pupils from outside the area.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (486)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

486. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the issue of an additional accommodation, that is, general purpose room and ancillary rooms, for Castlegregory national school, County Kerry, and if she will address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44316/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I understand that the school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for a General Purpose room. In addition, my Department has been liaising also with the school concerned in relation to its special needs accommodation and in that regard a further application for the provision of additional Special Education Support (SET) rooms is expected shortly.

In view of the current financial constraints within which my Department is operating, the position is that priority is being given to school applications for essential mainstream classroom and special education accommodation. In that context, my Department has advised the school concerned that it is not in a position to provide funding in respect of the General Purpose room at this time. However when the further application for SET rooms is received, the request concerned will be assessed and the school authorities will be advised of the outcome.

English Language Training Organisations

Ceisteanna (487)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

487. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to more than 50 students in India, Nepal, Vietnam, Pakistan and the Philippines who are owed tens of thousands of euro in fee refunds by a college (details supplied) operating in Dublin; her plans to clamp down on private colleges exploiting international students. [44337/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I am aware of the allegations concerning the private college to which the Deputy refers. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service is pursuing these allegations with the stated owners of the college. The Department of Justice and Equality requires all colleges seeking to deliver programmes to non-EEA national students to abide by the conditions as laid down by the immigration authorities including the requirements to provide timely refunds as set out in the published guidelines for colleges.

On 2nd September last I announced robust regulatory reforms of the international education sector jointly with the Minister for Justice and Equality. The purpose of those reforms is to protect the educational and consumer interests of genuine international students, to tackle abuse of the labour market and the immigration regime and to safeguard the strong international reputation of high-quality Irish education providers.

Those reforms have three main pillars – (i) a new list of eligible programmes, (ii) an enhanced inspection and compliance regime and (iii) changes to the operation of the work concession. It is expected that these reforms will significantly enhance the overall quality of Ireland's international education offering, reduce the risk to our reputation from the activities of lower quality operators and enhance the net benefits of internationalisation to the labour market and wider economy.

Motor Tax Rates

Ceisteanna (488)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

488. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been to drawn to the €159 extra cost to tax a seven-seater car for the year when paid in two six-month payments (details supplied); his views on this matter. [43840/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates of duty applicable for the half-yearly and quarterly options are calculated at 28.25% and 55.5% of the annual rate respectively. The number of seats in a vehicle is not a determinant in arriving at the non-annual rates.

This additional cost element takes account of the extra workload for staff in motor tax offices and the National Vehicle and Driver File unit, and the resultant administrative costs and printing costs that arise, including the issuing of renewal notices.

The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly and quarterly vehicle licences is in the region of €50m. A loss in income from this source would have a negative impact on revenue and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or through the taxation system generally. I have no plans currently to adjust the basis for paying motor tax on a half-yearly or quarterly basis.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (489)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

489. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the deaf advocacy service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44295/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. My Department is providing funding under the scheme of in excess of €8 million over the two year period. This represents an increase in funding of more than 10% per annum compared to the previous scheme.

A new scheme was advertised for applications early this year. The organisation referred to was not approved for funding on this occasion.

Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, there was an appeals process put in place and Pobal recently submitted an appeals report to me. I am currently considering the contents of this report, and I intend to provide clarification as soon as possible.

I announced, on 18 July 2014, the allocation of bridging funding of €1.4m to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations for a twelve month period, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. The organisation named is in receipt of funding from 1 July 2014 until 30 June 2015 under the bridging funding arrangements.

This bridging funding in 2014/2015 is a once-off transitional arrangement and will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the Scheme to Support National Organisations.

My Department has commenced a process of engagement with the Department of Health in order to advance the review, which is being undertaken in agreement with my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health with Special Responsibility for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in this review. It is intended to complete and publish the outcome of the review in due course.

Climate Change Policy

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 490, 491, 505, 509, 518, 522 and 526 together.

In April 2014, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill. The Bill is listed among the Bills expected to be published during the Autumn Session, as part of the Government’s Legislation Programme. Drafting of the Bill is currently being finalised within the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I intend to seek Government approval to publish the Bill in the coming weeks, with the objective of introducing it and progressing its passage through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter.

The General Scheme of the Bill was developed, following extensive public consultation processes both by my Department and by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. In the latter regard, the Joint Committee’s Report on the outline Heads of the Bill was given full consideration, and a number of changes were made to reflect its findings, including reducing the interval between proposed National Low-Carbon Roadmaps from 7 to 5 years and enabling the National Expert Advisory Body on Climate Change to publish directly its annual and periodic review reports.

With specific regard to a mitigation target for the year 2050, the General Scheme of the Bill explicitly commits the State to compliance with EU and international obligations in respect of climate change. Ireland already has greenhouse gas mitigation targets up to 2020, and discussions are ongoing with respect to targets up to the year 2030. This target-setting process will undoubtedly continue in relation to the periods up to the years 2040 and 2050. Given that Ireland will likely be subject to binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets up to 2050 as part of the EU process in any event and that a long-term vision of low-carbon transition is already set out in the National Climate Policy Position, published in April 2014, I do not consider it either appropriate or necessary to include a national 2050 target in legislation.

The General Scheme of the Bill provides for the establishment of a National Expert Advisory Body on Climate Change to provide independent advice to Ministers and the Government on the development of National Low-Carbon Roadmaps and National Climate Change Adaptation Frameworks and to publish annual and periodic review reports. The Expert Advisory Body is to comprise a chairperson and between 8 and 10 ordinary members, four of whom shall be ex officio members comprising the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Teagasc and the Economic and Social Research Institute. In terms of appointing a chairperson and the remaining ordinary members, it is important to note that the Government will consider the range of qualifications, expertise and experience necessary for effective performance of the advisory body. The inclusion of the ex officio members will help underpin this much-needed expertise and experience on these matters, as well as providing a link with relevant agencies working in the field so as to ensure effective implementation. Within this context, it should also be noted that is intended to put in place appropriate arrangements so that the Expert Advisory Body can operate effectively in performing its functions appropriately. Accordingly, I am not minded to alter this arrangement.

Finally, with respect to climate justice, one of the most effective ways of lessening the effects of climate change in developing countries is for developed countries such as Ireland to engage in developing further their national mitigation measures in respect of greenhouse gas emissions, and the General Scheme of the Bill provides for just such action. Furthermore, it would be important to note in this context that despite difficult economic circumstances, Ireland has maintained significant support, including public finance, for climate action on adaptation in developing countries. While the vast majority of Ireland’s annual climate finance returns come from Irish Aid, Ireland’s overseas development programme which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, it should also be noted that my own Department also made a contribution of €33 million over two years during the Fast-Start Finance period (2010-2012) supporting the Global Climate Change Alliance and the Least Developed Countries Fund.

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (492, 513)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

492. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the funding to local authorities will be made to their new round of house purchase schemes (details supplied). [44458/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

513. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans within the Department to set up a new tenant purchase scheme in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44179/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 513 together.

Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses. I intend to make the necessary statutory instruments in the coming months to enable the scheme to come into operation.

Local authority tenant purchase does not involve the transfer of specific funds from my Department to housing authorities.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (493)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

493. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure additional funding or social housing units are secured for the south Meath area. [43742/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Social housing is a key priority for Government, as evidenced by the increased provisions made for the area in Budget 2015. The overall social housing funding provision for 2015 has been increased by in excess of €200 million, with capital funding increasing by €180 million, which will allow for significant expansion in social housing provision.

The specific allocations to be provided in 2015 for each of the various funding schemes and programmes will be published in the 2015 Revised Estimates Volume in December. That will include the breakdown of my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme and at that point, my Department will be working with all local authorities, including Meath County Council, to agree individual allocations across all the social housing activities. Specific allocations for subsequent years will be part of the normal budgetary processes for those years.

More broadly, plans in relation to the future delivery of social housing are now being developed as part of a new Social Housing Strategy, which will be considered by Government shortly. The Strategy will contain clear, measureable actions to increase the supply of social housing, based on innovative solutions that will harness new funding streams, in order to continue to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.

Pending the finalisation of social housing funding allocations for 2015 to all local authorities, they are continuing to work on projects announced in March 2014 involving a local authority housing construction programme valued at €68 million nationally and delivering 449 new units of accommodation, and over €46 million allocated to Approved Housing Bodies to provide 416 units of accommodation nationally, for people with special housing needs. Funding to Meath County Council under these measures is a combined €4.27 million, in respect of some 30 social housing units.

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (494)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

494. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the launching of the public area enhancement scheme which indicated that works undertaken with funding from the scheme should be additional to work already planned; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the largest allocation of funding in County Sligo, a sum of €10,000, was allocated to remove timber hoarding at a county council site at Connaughton Road, County Sligo; if his Department has received any information from the council as to the reason the cost of removing timber hoarding is so high; if funding from the scheme was intended to be used for such work; if the hoarding was removed and the funding expended in accordance with the scheme by the end of September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43774/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Public Area Enhancement Scheme was a scheme to support community efforts by providing grant funding to local authorities for the purpose of enhancing public areas before and during the summer tourist season. The scheme provided funding, additional to that provided for in the 2014 local authority budget, for works related to public area enhancement.

While the scheme was not absolutely prescriptive, suggestions to local authorities as to what might constitute suitable projects included providing additional support for initiatives such as local area Tidy Towns committees, improvement works to public parks and recreational walking areas, cleaning and tidying of older graveyards or the cleaning and making safe of derelict buildings. Local Authorities were also asked that wherever possible works should be undertaken in co-operation with local community efforts.

The provisional grant to Sligo County in respect of this scheme was for €70,000 and was conditional upon 25% matching funding being provided by the local authority. While funds were provided to the County Councils only, it was expected that County Councils would ensure that Town and Borough Councils were also assisted in their efforts. All expenditure under this scheme was to be completed by the end of September 2014.

Sligo County Council was approved a grant allocation of €70,000. Their application included projects relating to: village and town enhancement projects in association with Tidy Towns Committees and community associations; development of public walks; and area enhancement works in advance of festivals and events for the benefit of local communities to promote tourism. Sligo County Council certified that the grant allocation claimed was spent on the general enhancement of the public areas.

I understand from Sligo County Council that the specific works referred to in the Question were not carried out under this scheme. The works were intended to contribute to a scheme to replace the current hoarding with decorative railing. It was not possible to advance the design and procurement and have these works completed within the time frame required under the Public Area Enhancement Scheme.

Tax Rebates

Ceisteanna (495)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

495. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce an incentive scheme or tax rebate to promote rain water harvesting as a means of water conservation. [43832/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I am fully supportive of technologies which contribute to the conservation of water. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to benefit the environment and contribute to reducing the cost of water services for certain uses. The introduction of a grants scheme for water conservation would have to be considered in the context of the available budgetary resources.

The introduction of any tax rebates is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (496)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

496. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the funding position for the Irish Deaf Society whose bridge funding is about to terminate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43868/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. My Department is providing funding under the scheme of in excess of €8 million over the two year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. This represents an increase in funding of more than 10% per annum compared to the previous scheme.

A new scheme was advertised for applications early this year. The organisation referred to was not approved for funding on this occasion.

I announced, on 18 July 2014, the allocation of bridging funding of €1.4m to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations for a twelve month period, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. The Irish Deaf Society is in receipt of funding from 1 July 2014 until 30 June 2015 under the bridging funding arrangements.

This bridging funding in 2014/2015 is a once-off transitional arrangement and will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the Scheme to Support National Organisations.

My Department has commenced a process of engagement with the Department of Health in order to advance the review, which is being undertaken in agreement with my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health with Special Responsibility for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in this review. It is intended to complete and publish the outcome of the review in due course.

Voluntary Sector Funding

Ceisteanna (497)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

497. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a decision will be made in respect of an appeal submitted to his Department by an organisation (details supplied); and the supports that will be provided to the organisation to prevent the closure of its services. [43869/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. My Department is providing funding under the scheme of in excess of €8 million over the two year period. This represents an increase in funding of more than 10% per annum compared to the previous scheme.

A new scheme was advertised for applications early this year. The organisation referred to was not approved for funding on this occasion.

Pobal was asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, there was an appeals process put in place and Pobal recently submitted an appeals report to me. I am currently considering the contents of this report, and I intend to provide clarification as soon as possible.

I announced, on 18 July 2014, the allocation of bridging funding of €1.4m to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations for a twelve month period, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. The organisation named is in receipt of funding from 1 July 2014 until 30 June 2015 under the bridging funding arrangements.

This bridging funding in 2014/2015 is a once-off transitional arrangement and will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the Scheme to Support National Organisations.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (498)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

498. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities have implemented the 2005 Disability Act; the reason the relevant access officers in each authority since 2005 did not make their managers aware of the legal requirement of the Disability Act 2005; if the local authorities and An Bord Pleanála are made aware by the Minister and his departmental officials of their statutory duties under this Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43892/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department has supported local authorities in implementing the Disability Act 2005 since its enactment in 2005. A circular was issued by my Department in 2005 identifying the areas of responsibility for local authorities. This was followed up by a Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB) seminar entitled “Implementing the Disability Act 2005” on 25 April 2006, which was well attended by local authority staff.

My Department’s Sectoral Plan, as provided for in section 31 of the Disability Act 2005, was developed in consultation with people with disabilities to assist the Department and local authorities in supporting an inclusive society with accessible buildings, facilities, services and information. Local authorities and other bodies under the Department’s aegis were made aware of their statutory responsibilities in this context.

In accordance with my Department’s Sectoral Plan, all local authorities were required to carry out an accessibility audit in respect of all public spaces, public buildings and services owned and operated by them. In total, my Department provided over €77 million, between 2005 and 2010, to assist local authorities in improving access to public spaces, buildings and services for people with disabilities. Funding was allocated annually for purposes of Disability Services to local authorities, on the basis of priority areas identified by them in implementation plans.

Under the Disability Act 2005, civil and public sector bodies are obliged to meet a target of 3% employment of staff with disabilities, unless there are good reasons for not doing so. My Department monitors compliance through an annual survey of all local authority and agencies under its remit.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which replaced the LGMSB in 2012, takes a central role in the implementation of the Disability Strategy and provides a range of advice and support to local authorities in that regard.