Written Answers Nos. 870-889
870. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person or body responsible for the delivery of Leader grant schemes in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49477/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme, Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) was contracted to deliver the LEADER element of the Programme in the Gaeltacht areas. However, the company liquidated in 2011 and, following legal advice and discussions with the European Commission in late 2012, the areas which had been previously served by MFG were transferred to the contiguous Local Action Groups (LAGs). The table sets out the groups and areas involved.
|
Local Action Group |
Gaeltacht Area |
|
Comhar na nOileán |
Galway |
|
Donegal Local Development Company |
Donegal |
|
Mayo North East LEADER Partnership |
North Mayo Gaeltacht |
|
Meath Partnership |
Meath |
|
North & East Kerry LEADER Partnership |
North Kerry Gaeltacht |
|
South Kerry Development Partnership |
South Kerry Gaeltacht |
|
South West Mayo Development Company |
South Mayo Gaeltacht |
|
Waterford LEADER Partnership |
Waterford |
|
West Cork Development Partnership |
Cork |
In the context of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, I am anxious that the implementation of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme reflects a community led approach in so far as is possible and in order to ensure this, each sub-regional area will be responsible for determining its own needs and will outline how it proposes to address those needs in its Local Development Strategy. This approach will also apply to those areas that contain Gaeltacht and island communities and I encourage both of these communities to ensure that they engage fully with the Local Development Strategy development processes for their respective areas to ensure that their needs and concerns are fully addressed.
871. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Kerry County Council is no longer accepting cheques as a means of payment for road tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49544/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from Kerry County Council that the Council is accepting cheques as a means of payment for motor tax.
872. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total receipts collected for motor tax in 2013. [49644/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra879. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount in motor tax raised from motorists in 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1736/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 872 and 879 together.
Total gross receipts from motor tax in 2013 were €1.118bn. Total gross receipts from motor tax in 2014 were €1.159bn.
873. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a house owned by a company which is used periodically by its employees to stay in overnight while working on contracts away from home is considered a second home and subject to the non-principal private residence tax, or where such a property is included as an asset of a limited company in its balance sheet, if it is excluded from the charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49727/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence.
A residential property not in use by an owner as his or her sole or main residence is liable for the Charge. The definition of an owner in the Act can include a limited company. Accordingly, as the owner of the property concerned, the company would be liable for the charge. It is a matter for an owner to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the charge and any late payment fees applicable.
Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect NPPR charges and late payment fees due to it, and all charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned. In this regard, application of the legislation in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.
874. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the annual number of persons in County Meath who have moved from rent supplement to the rental accommodation scheme from 2010 to date in 2015. [49749/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra875. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons in County Meath who have moved from rent supplement to local authority housing from 2010 to date in 2015. [49750/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra904. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual number of persons approved for the rental accommodation scheme in County Meath since the scheme began. [49755/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 874, 875 and 904 together.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a targeted scheme catering for the accommodation needs of persons in receipt of Rent Supplement, generally for more than 18 months, from the Department of Social Protection and who are assessed by housing authorities as having a long-term housing need.
Since the scheme commenced in late 2005 and up to the end of October 2014 some 947 households have been transferred by the local authority from Rent Supplement to RAS and other social housing supports in County Meath. The information requested is outlined in the tables.
|
Year |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (as at end Oct) |
|
Total number of transfers |
Nil |
39 |
43 |
108 |
135 |
164 |
168 |
124 |
101 |
65 |
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (as at end Oct) |
|
No transferred to other Social Housing Supports |
74 |
38 |
51 |
31 |
25 |
|
No. transferred to Rental Accommodation Scheme |
90 |
130 |
73 |
70 |
40 |
876. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the implications for the taxpayer following on from the recent Redmond High Court judgment; his views on the amount the final bill will be in view of the fact that the Mahon tribunal has written to parties named in its report informing them that adverse findings against them have been withdrawn with immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1050/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments (the Mahon Tribunal) was established in October 1997 and published its Final Report in March 2012. The work of the Tribunal at present is largely focused on the settlement of third-party and court costs incurred during the work of the Tribunal.
My Department was advised by the Chairman of the Tribunal in May 2014 that the estimated final cost of the Tribunal would be approximately €159 million once all costs have been agreed and paid. This estimate was prepared in accordance with standard accounting practice and the agreed protocol on legal fees, on the assumption that all parties involved with the Tribunal, and who were entitled to apply for their costs, would receive all of their costs. It includes the settlement of such cases as the legal challenge referred to. The costs claimed by the party concerned (or indeed any other party) are subject to agreement or settlement with legal cost accountants, the State Claims Agency or, where necessary, a Taxing Master of the High Court.
It should also be noted that the successful challenge by the party concerned to part of the content of Mr Justice Flood's Third Interim Report has no bearing, impact or relevance to the content or findings of the Tribunal's Final Report.
877. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applications made to his Department for thatching grants in each of the past three years; the amount drawn down; if there is funding available for such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1171/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of grants paid in each of the past three years and the level of funding provided under my Department's grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs are set out in the table. Funding is available in 2015 for eligible applications under this scheme.
|
Year |
Number of Grants |
Total Funding |
|
2014 |
129 |
€576,976 |
|
2013 |
140 |
€604,929 |
|
2012 |
134 |
€601,669 |
878. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress to date regarding the sale of flats to local authority tenants; if details of the transfer orders and charging orders have been prescribed to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1494/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the tenant purchase scheme for local authority apartments is a matter for housing authorities and my Department does not collect information regarding the implementation of the scheme by individual authorities. Drafting of the transfer and charging orders to be used under the scheme is underway in my Department and the necessary regulations will be made in due course. It should be noted that these orders do not come into play until a housing authority has completed all the statutory steps in designating an apartment complex for tenant purchase and processing individual applications to purchase.
880. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason no progress has been made since a person (details supplied) in County Cork was approved for the rural cottages scheme in 2007, when the local authority transferred a person's dwelling to its ownership on the basis the authority would construct a new dwelling on site for the applicant; the reason no construction has taken place and no place of residence has been offered to the resident with no home as it was transferred to the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49472/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities have the statutory responsibility for the detailed provision of social housing services in their areas. Decisions in relation to the planning and delivery of these services are matters for the relevant authorities in the first instance. In this case, it is a matter for Cork County Council to identify the appropriate services to meet the housing need involved and I understand that the household concerned has been offered accommodation while issues relating to the site involved are being resolved.
881. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will establish a north inner city partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49481/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years with funding of €281 million over that period. It is being implemented on a transitional basis until March next, pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) in April next.
Since the cessation of the contract with Dublin Inner City Partnership for the delivery of the LCDP, my Department, in conjunction with Pobal, has ensured that LCDP services, for the communities in the inner city area, have been maintained in a coordinated manner.
SICAP will be overseen and managed by the new Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area. The configuration of delivery bodies/delivery arrangements for the Dublin Inner City area for local and community programmes is a matter for the LCDC of Dublin City Council to consider in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, commensurate with service needs.
882. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the new policy on wind farm turbines (details supplied) will have no impact on the Rockmarshall Mountains in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49487/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for planning authorities to ensure that decisions on planning applications are taken having regard to the policies set out in their respective development plans and local area plans. Furthermore, all planning authorities - including An Bord Pleanála - must have regard to the provisions of section 28 guidelines issued by the Minister in exercising their planning functions.
My Department is currently conducting a targeted review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines focusing on the issues of noise, proximity and shadow flicker.
These Guidelines, when finalised, will issue to planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities will be required to have regard to such new guidelines in carrying out their statutory functions in deciding on planning applications for wind energy developments.
883. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49490/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra911. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the changes to the seniors alert scheme that are proposed; his views on whether sufficient consultation has been undertaken with interested parties; his further views on the points raised in a document (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1107/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra915. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be made available to enable senior alert schemes to provide carbon monoxide alarms to the disabled and the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1163/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra929. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the change in management of the senior alert scheme, if he will provide details of all consultations with stakeholders held by officials in his Department prior to transferring management of the scheme to Pobal; if under newly tendered contracts the minimum standard required will be the existing EU standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1513/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 883, 911, 915 and 929 together.
My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
The maximum grant per beneficiary for equipment is as follows:
- Monitored personal alarms (with pendant) - €250
- Additional pendant/Re-installation - €50
The annual monitoring costs (generally between €60 - €80 per annum) are borne by the beneficiary.
My Department undertook to consider new approaches to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2014 and arising from this, it was decided that the scheme be managed by Pobal, given that organisation's significant experience delivering programmes on behalf of Government.
Pobal's management and administrative services for the Scheme includes an invitation to tender for the supply and installation of personal monitored alarms, which was publicly advertised on eTenders on 20 October 2014. A panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment within specific regional areas. As the market for the equipment is well established, it was neither necessary nor prudent to engage in consultations on the matter. The tender included a requirement for suppliers to set out their value added services, including the supply of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. The tender process, which is being led by Pobal, is almost complete.
This new approach will reduce the administrative burden for the many hundreds of community and voluntary groups registered under the Scheme, who provide an excellent service for the elderly. It will enable the groups to concentrate on the main purpose of the Scheme, namely to support and interact with the elderly in the local community.
884. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will sanction the provision of a school warden in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49509/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department sanctioned the recruitment of a school warden for Cork City Council on 16 December 2014.
885. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the option in legislation of the payment of waste collection for non-domestic and commercial waste disposal by bin lift, which is more environmentally friendly as it encourages recycling and the compression of recyclable material and needs fewer journeys by waste collection vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49568/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Study of Pay-by-use Systems for Maximising Waste Reduction Behaviour in Ireland, published by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2011, indicates that pay by weight on a per kilogram basis is the most effective Pay-by-use (PBU) system in terms of waste prevention, waste recycling and diversion of waste from landfill.
In this regard and as part of the development of a radical and comprehensive new regulatory framework to reform the regulation of the collection of household waste in 2015, my Department is considering all the aspects of introducing a statutory requirement for all collectors of household waste to operate a “pay-by-weight” system as a condition of their permit.
While the regulatory framework being considered is initially focused on the collection of household waste, applying pay-by-use requirements to other waste streams, including commercial waste, will also be considered.
886. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he will take to close the loophole whereby a person with an untaxed motor vehicle which is not declared off the road can transfer ownership to another person and escape the financial liability for the period of non-declaration. [49593/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 introduced a system of prospective declarations if a vehicle is temporarily not being used in a public place. This replaced a procedure which had allowed non-use of a vehicle to be declared after the fact, which was unverifiable and was estimated as leading to losses of some €50 million annually.
In 2014, following the introduction of the new system, gross motor tax receipts, at €1.159bn, increased by €41m on 2013. This occurred despite the fact that there have been no increases in motor tax since the new measures took effect and that reductions could otherwise have been expected given the ongoing changeover of the car fleet to the CO2 based system, which carries a lower average tax. It should be noted that arrears in 2014 amounted to some €60m compared to €22m - €24m in the years prior to the introduction of the new system, suggesting that the new system has been effective in improving compliance.
Under the current provisions, motorists are now required to either tax their vehicle or declare it off the road in advance. The operation of the motor tax system is kept under regular review and amending legislation is brought forward where it is deemed necessary to do so.
887. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if water services charges will be subject to the public service obligation, similar to ESB and gas. [49611/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it.
As set out in the Water Services Act 2014, which was enacted on 28 December 2014, water charges for domestic customers commenced on 1 January 2015 with the first bills due to issue from April 2015. There is no provision for a public service obligation levy as part of water charges bills.
888. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for community fora (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49631/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government Reform Act 2014 enhanced the powers of local authorities to take all appropriate steps to consult with and promote effective participation of local communities in local government. One of the principal implementing provisions will be the adoption by each local authority of a framework for public participation in local government. This sets out the mechanisms by which citizens and communities will be encouraged and supported to participate in and influence the decision-making processes of the local authority.
In this regard, Public Participation Networks (PPNs) are being set up in each local authority area to enable the public to take an active formal role in relevant policy making and oversight committees of the Local Authority. They are being set up on the basis of interim guidance from my Department in advance of final Regulations and Guidelines, based on the Working Group Report on Citizen Engagement with Local Government (February 2014). The report is available on my Department's website:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/CommunityVoluntarySupports/FileDownLoad,36779,en.pdf
The PPN will be the main link through which the local authority connects with citizens and civil society organisations, but without prejudice to other consultation processes (statutory or non-statutory). With effect from 1 June 2014, where community representation is to be provided on appropriate committees of the Local Authority, such as Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) and the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) etc., it must be sourced through the PPN. Membership of the LCDC includes 2 nominees from the Community and Voluntary sector, 2 nominees from the Social Inclusion sector and one from the Environment sector.
Membership of the PPN is an open and inclusive process. All interested groups are free to engage with local government through the PPN processes.
889. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding Irish Water charges, if there are any allowances to be made for small farmers who are nearly solely dependent on farm assist for their weekly income in relation to the rates that will be imposed on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49632/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water shall 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.
Following a review of the overarching water charges policy framework, the Government has made further decisions to ensure that water charges are affordable for customers. On 19 November 2014, I announced a package of measures to ensure that a simpler, fairer, more certain and more affordable charging regime is in p lace for Irish Water customers. Details of these measures are avail able on my Department's website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Water/WaterServices/News/MainBody,39549,en.htm.
The Water Services Act 2014 which was enacted on 28 December 2014 has given effect to these measures.
Currently, any farm connected to a public water supply is liable for charges as a non-domestic customer, with an allowance provided for domestic use. From 1 January 2015, following the introduction of domestic water charges, farms connected to public water supplies will be charged by Irish Water for both non-domestic and domestic use. Domestic charges will be subject to the maximum charges set for households and free allowances to be provided to children under 18. There are no additional allowances available other than those announced.
It should be noted that the existing arrangements for all non-domestic customers are remaining in place with no changes for the time being. On this basis, the local authorities will continue to bill for non-domestic water services as agents of Irish Water. The CER will be reviewing all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs under a series of public consultations and will publish the time-line for this process in the next few months.
