Written Answers Nos. 513-526
514. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details on the amount of Government funding a centre (details supplied) in County Longford has received in the years 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44193/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra515. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding from his Department he intends to provide for a centre (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44194/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra516. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the staff salary cuts that have been implemented in a centre (details supplied) in County Longford in the years 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44195/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra517. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of woman currently on the waiting list for appointments in a centre (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44196/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 514 to 517, inclusive, together.
My Department has provided funding to the entity referred to in the questions under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. In 2009, Longford Community Resources Limited, the relevant Local Action Group contracted on behalf of my Department to deliver the LEADER funding, provided grant aid of €2,460 for a feasibility study into the construction of a community facility. In 2011, over €198,797 was provided to construct a training & community facility and €4,971 was provided for a rural leadership course.
In addition the Local Development, Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) and its successor Local Community Development Programme (LCDP) also implemented by my Department provided the following funding to Longford Women’s Link:
|
2009 |
€55,000 |
|
2010 |
€31,000 |
|
2011 |
€33,000 |
|
2012 |
€40,000 |
|
2013 |
€32,000 |
|
2014 |
€27,937.50 |
My Department has no role in relation to the provision of ongoing staff funding or in relation to waiting lists for the centre. I understand that the Department of Social Protection has also provided funding under its Community Programmes.
519. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the new regulations introduced in March 2014 that apply to architectural technologists; the way he expects architectural technologists to operate considering the extra costs now involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44212/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (SI No. 9 of 2014), which came into operation on 1 March 2014, greatly strengthen the arrangements in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certificates of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspection during construction and validation and registration of statutory certificates. The statutory certificates of compliance must be signed by a registered professional, i.e. a person who is included on the statutory registers of architects or building surveyors established in accordance with the Building Control Act 2007, or who is a Chartered Engineer. These are the construction professions typically involved in the design of construction works in Ireland and reference to these professions in regulation is entirely appropriate.
Architectural Technology is not currently classed as a regulated profession in Ireland which means that there is no designated competent authority which has the power to approve or restrict access to the profession in Ireland under national or EU law. That said, I am aware of the valuable contribution to the construction industry that is made by architectural technologists and I welcome and support the recent moves made by both the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to put this important discipline on a professional footing. Both bodies have recently agreed to the development through Quality Qualifications Ireland structures of an agreed common standard for Architectural Technologist in line with the National Qualifications Framework.
The regulation of professions is in the first instance a matter for industry representatives working in concert with relevant industry stakeholders. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department, have any role in the assessment or validation of professional qualifications. Nevertheless, where robust arrangements for the regulation of key disciplines such as that of Architectural Technologist can be achieved, in a manner capable of serving the public interest for quality and safety in the built environment at a reasonable economic cost to consumers, I would be happy to sponsor legislation to place such arrangements on a statutory footing.
It is also worth noting that, depending on their personal background and experience, it may be open to persons who are Architectural Technologists, and who possess the requisite experience and competence in the design of buildings, to seek inclusion on either of the statutory registers in respect of Architects or Building Surveyors. A number of Architectural Technologists have already succeeded in gaining inclusion on the statutory registers to date and are thus in a position to avail of the many opportunities to act as Design Certifier and Assigned Certifier that will continue to arise as a consequence of SI No. 9 of 2014.
521. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he has to provide a free-phone telephone number for Irish Water customers; the reason one has not already been set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44241/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme.
Irish Water have established a customer support call centre, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This call centre is designed for reporting of any faults in water services and assisting customers with any queries related to water services. The call centre number, 1890 278 278, is also contactable on the national number 01 707 2828. A separate number, 1890 448 448, has been dedicated to assist with queries and completion of the new customer application form. This line is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Irish Water can also be contacted by email and the application form can also be completed on line. All details are clearly outlined on the company website, www.water.ie.
Irish Water has informed my Department that it has adopted 1890 numbers because this strikes a reasonable balance on contact cost between that incurred by the customer and that incurred by the company. Irish Water’s remit is to act commercially in carrying on its operations and the company considers that its 1890 channels are consistent with these objectives.
Irish Water has also established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578.
523. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reduce the cost differential which arises when paying motor tax quarterly as compared to the cost of paying a single annual payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44269/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor tax is payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or on an annual basis. The rates of duty applicable for the quarterly and half-yearly options are 28.25% and 55.5% the annual charge respectively. 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 quarterly and half-yearly vehicle licences is in the region of €50 million. 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 quarterly or half-yearly basis.
524. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Housing Act of 2014 will implement specific measures to increase the powers of local authorities and housing associations to properly discharge their duties as landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44278/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 2 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 includes a new court procedure for the recovery of possession of local authority dwellings from households in serious breach of their tenancy agreements, including engagement in anti-social behaviour. The Act also strengthens the powers of housing authorities and approved housing bodies to obtain court orders to exclude persons engaged in anti-social behaviour from social housing accommodation and estates. I intend to make the necessary statutory instruments in the coming months to bring Part 2 of the 2014 Act into operation.
525. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the dog breeds regulated under the Control of Dogs Act 1998 are legally exempt from the restrictions when being used in roles such as guide dogs for the blind; if the location of this stated exemption in the regulations is clearly highlighted; if he will provide in each of the following occurrences if these breeds are exempt from the regulations when used in the following internationally recognised roles: autism assistance, therapeutic assistance for psychological and emotional difficulties and assistance for the disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44296/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998, the requirement for dogs of certain breeds to be securely muzzled in a public place and being led by a sufficiently strong chain or leash, by a person over the age of 16 years who is capable of controlling the dog, does not apply to dogs being used for the purpose of guidance by persons unable to find their way without guidance.
Dogs of the restricted breeds used for assistance, other than in accordance with the 1998 regulations, are not exempt from the requirements of the regulations to be securely muzzled etc. Regulation 7 (2) (b) of the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 outlines the exemptions applicable to dogs being used for the purpose of guidance by persons unable to find their way without guidance.
