Written Answers Nos. 511-526
511. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual current expenditure of Irish Water in 2015 and 2016; the annual capital expenditure of Irish Water in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45962/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of Irish Water’s financial forecasts for the period 1 October 2014 to December 2016 are outlined in their revenue and water charges plan which was reviewed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Details of the review and the CER’s decision are available at - http://www.cer.ie/docs/000979/CER14454%20WCP%20Revenue%20Response%20&%20Decision%20Paper.pdf.
Following the Government’s recent decision in relation to water charges, Irish Water’s allowed revenue which was approved by the Commission for Energy Regulation continues to apply, save for the impact of a changed approach to commercial rates for water services infrastructure. Such rates were considered by the Regulator to be an ‘uncontrollable’ or pass through cost for Irish Water. By introducing an exemption from rates for any land or infrastructure used for the provision of public water services, this pass through cost will no longer form part of Irish Water’s operational expenditure.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
512. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revise building regulations to regulate the retrofitting of septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45963/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations normally apply to new dwellings and to existing dwellings where a material alteration is being carried out. Where a service, such as a domestic septic tank, is being replaced, the requirements of the Building Regulations specific to the replacement apply. Part H of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations, 1997 to 2010, provides for the disposal of foul and surface water. The related Technical Guidance Document TGD H, Drainage and Waste Water Disposal, provides guidance on how to achieve compliance with the requirements of Building Regulations in that regard. Given that the current regulations and related guidance already set out requirements in respect of septic tanks, there is no requirement to further amend Part H of the Building Regulations.
513. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revise the planning legislation on the taking in charge of housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45964/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra517. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the priority he has given to resolving the difficulties around the taking in charge of estates following the establishment of Irish Water; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that continuing delays in rectifying the situation has resulted in serious problems for householders selling their homes in estates that have not been taken in charge by their respective local authority; if he will act in this regard as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45981/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 517 together.
Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, sets out the process by which local authorities can take in charge housing estates. A new Planning and Development Bill is currently in preparation, in which section 180 will be updated with a view to improving and streamlining the taking in charge process.
My Department is currently engaging with the local government sector, Irish Water and other relevant stakeholders in the preparation of this new legislation, which, in addition to updating the taking in charge process, will also address legacy issues and take account of the proposed connections policy of Irish Water.
514. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will commit to a minimum of 10% social housing on all developments over 800 sq. m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45965/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 113 on today's Order Paper which sets out the position in this matter.
515. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a data protection agreement between Irish Water and the Data Protection Commissioner, in relation to Irish Water accessing tenant information from the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45966/14]
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. The occupier of a property is liable to pay the water charges bill, and legislation provides that the owner is the occupier unless the contrary is proven. Irish Water is providing landlords with the opportunity to prove that they are not the occupier by providing the tenants’ names. This will allow Irish Water to contact the tenant to complete the registration and to bill the tenant. The tenant will have to register with Irish Water to avail of the water conservation grant or to get lower charges than the default capped charge (€260), where they are single adult occupants or their metered usage is less than the maximum charge.
Under the Water Services Acts 2007-2013, Irish Water may request its customers and certain specified persons or bodies, including local authorities, to provide it with information so that it can perform its functions under these Acts. Irish Water will treat applicants’ personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. In complying with these Acts, Irish Water must ensure that the data is only used for the purpose for which it was collected and must also ensure that any data collected is stored securely.
516. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on recent reports regarding the inadequacies of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, specifically Part 2 in relation to seeking disciplinary actions against local authority tenants who are engaged in anti-social behaviour; if he will enact the necessary statutory instruments to bring Part 2 of the 2014 Act into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45973/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe media reports referred to in the question underscore the need for the measures included in Part 2 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, which I set out in reply to Question No. 524 of 18 November 2014. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020, which was published last week, indicated that Part 2 of the 2014 Act will be brought into operation in the first quarter of 2015.
518. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of social housing units which will commence construction in each local authority area in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45982/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra519. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of voluntary housing units that will commence construction in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45983/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of units that each local authority plans to purchase in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45984/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra521. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of units that each voluntary housing body plans to purchase in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45985/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 518 to 521, inclusive, together.
The planning of new social housing units involves my Department working with each individual local authority which, as housing authorities, are responsible for the identification of their area’s social housing need and the development of the appropriate responses. The new Social Housing Strategy 2020 provides a clear governance structure for the advancement of social housing targets which I, as Minister, will personally oversee to ensure delivery.
Action 1 of the Strategy requires the agreement of targets for delivery of social housing next year and in subsequent years. These specific targets will be agreed through the governance structure, in collaboration with local authorities and with input from the approved housing body sector. For 2015, I expect that some 7,400 new social housing units will be provided under the range of existing initiatives, with a further 8,400 households assisted through the Housing Assistance Payment. As part of the local authority housing construction and acquisitions programme, there is a target of 946 units, and a further 440 through approved housing bodies under the Capital Assistance Scheme.
In addition to the above, planning and development work is already underway for the delivery between now and 2016 of 449 new units of accommodation for people on housing waiting lists as part of a local authority social housing construction programme, details of which are available at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,36901,en.htm
This is alongside the delivery of 416 units by approved housing bodies for people with special housing needs, which is also already underway under the Capital Assistance Scheme, details of which are available at http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,38067,en.htm .
522. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of kilometres of leaking mains that have been replaced in the years 2010 to 2014; and the amount spent. [45997/14]
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. This includes measures to address leakage such as the repair and replacement of public water mains. My Department has collected information from local authorities on the length of rehabilitated water mains for the years 2011 and 2012. In the year to end September 2011, 222 km of public water supply pipes were replaced or rehabilitated. For 2012 the equivalent figure was 273 km of pipes.
Significant investment by my Department in water conservation for the areas of water management systems and active leakage control has provided the platform for more intensive water mains repair and replacement contracts. Expenditure by my Department for water conservation works for the years 2010 to 2013, which includes water mains repair and replacement, is set out as follows:
|
- |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
€m |
37.7 |
39.9 |
39.3 |
43.5 |
Irish Water has published its Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 and this is available online at:
http://www.water.ie/news/proposed-capital-investme/Proposed-Capital-Investment-Plan-2014-2016.pdf
The plan identifies where Irish Water considers investment in infrastructure is necessary for the effective performance of its functions, including measures to address leakage in public water mains. Irish Water has also established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
523. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the guidelines for wind farm developments will be in place; if they will have statutory enforceable set back distances for wind turbines. [45998/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013, my Department published proposed draft revisions to the noise, setbacks and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- The setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- A mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- The complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until 21 February 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this period. My priority is focused on finalising the revisions to the 2006 Guidelines, including consideration of the issue of setbacks, and I intend to conclude that process as a matter of urgency, taking into account the large number of public submissions received.
The current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines were issued to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), as will be the revisions to those Guidelines. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to those statutory guidelines in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
524. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a planning regulator, as recommended by the Mahon tribunal will be appointed. [45999/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to shortly publish a General Scheme of the Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill 2014 which will provide for, inter alia , the establishment of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) in response to the planning recommendations of the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal. The primary function of the OPR, which will be established as an independent body, will be to carry out independent appraisal of regional and local level statutory plans prepared and adopted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, namely, development plans, local area plans, regional spatial and economic strategies etc. The OPR will also have investigative powers to examine, inter alia, possible systemic failings in the planning system, again taking account of the recommendation of the Mahon Tribunal in this regard. The OPR will also be mandated to carry out the research, training and education roles identified by the Mahon Tribunal.
525. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount allocated by Irish Water to cover the costs of call centres for this year, and for 2015. [46000/14]
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. Funding allocated by Irish Water to cover the costs of the call centres run by Irish Water is an operational matter for the company and one in which I have no function. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
526. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form on a local authority basis, the number of staff transferred from each local authority to Irish Water; the job titles of those transferred; and the possible impact of these transfers on the ability of local authorities to maintain service levels following the loss of these staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46010/14]
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. 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 578 578. I have, on this occasion, been informed by Irish Water that no staff transferred from a local authority to the utility. All Irish Water staff have been hired through competitive recruitment processes.
The table below sets out the number of staff who worked in local authorities prior to being recruited to Irish Water and the operational areas to which they have been assigned in the utility.
|
Local Authority |
Asset Management |
Customer Operations |
Support Services |
Totals |
|
Carlow County Council |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
Cavan County Council |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
Clare County Council |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Cork City |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Cork County Council |
16 |
- |
1 |
17 |
|
Dublin City Council |
22 |
1 |
7 |
30 |
|
Donegal County Council |
6 |
- |
- |
6 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Fingal County Council |
20 |
- |
- |
20 |
|
Galway City Council |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Galway County Council |
4 |
- |
1 |
5 |
|
Kerry County Council |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Kildare County Council |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
|
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Laois County Council |
8 |
- |
- |
8 |
|
Limerick City |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Limerick County Council |
6 |
- |
- |
6 |
|
Longford County Council |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Louth County Council |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Mayo County Council |
2 |
- |
2 |
4 |
|
Meath County Council |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Offaly County Council |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
3 |
- |
1 |
4 |
|
Sligo County Council |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
3 |
- |
1 |
4 |
|
Waterford County Council |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
7 |
- |
- |
7 |
|
Wexford County Council |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
|
Totals |
145 |
3 |
16 |
164* |
*Included in the total are 15 positions where a candidate has been hired but has not as yet taken up the position.
The staff involved would have been at various grades within local authorities. My Department has arrangements in place with local authorities for the filling of vacancies within the employment control framework. Specific arrangements are also in place for the filling of vacancies under Service Level Agreements between Irish Water and local authorities. Under these agreements annual service plans set down the headcount required to provide the agreed services.
