Written Answers Nos. 216-223
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be provided under a section 29 appeal in progress in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2091/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from my officials that a section 29 appeal against Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (ETB) on behalf of this case has now concluded.
It is now open to the parents of the child in question to take a section 29 appeal to the Secretary General of my Department.
My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will indicate, notwithstanding reply to a previous parliamentary question in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, if consideration will be given to the unsuccessful application regarding enrolment at a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2094/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from my officials that a section 29 appeal against Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (ETB) on behalf of this case has now concluded.
It is now open to the parents of the child in question to take a section 29 appeal to the Secretary General of my Department.
My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
218. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current balance in the Dormant Account Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2028/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dormant Accounts Acts 2001 to 2012, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies, An Post and insurance companies) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. The primary purpose of the legislation is to re-unite the original account holders with their moneys, including all interest due. In addition, the legislation provides that disbursements from the fund may be made for charitable purposes or for purposes of community benefit.
Since its establishment in April 2003 to the end of November 2014, the transfers to the Fund have totalled some €779 million, which includes interest earned of approximately €40.6 million. Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to around €294.6 million. €301 million of disbursements has been approved, with €252 million already spent on projects designed to benefit the community over the same period. The net value of uncommitted funds is currently €114 million. This does not include a Reserve Fund, currently standing at €65.8 million.
Further data in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/DormantAccounts/.
219. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the €100 being provided to all registered members of Irish Water; if it is a rebate to allow Irish Water to be set up as a semi-State company outside of the Government sector as otherwise it would be considered a subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1883/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the €100 subsidy to non-registered customers of Irish Water is a thank-you gesture as he has stated or a compulsory gesture in order to get Irish Water off the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1885/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.
To promote sustainable use of water and to enhance water conservation in households, the Department of Social Protection will administer, on behalf of my Department, a €100 water conservation grant for households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process.
While Irish Water, as part of the transition phase, will have a ‘first fix free’ scheme to fix customer leaks, it is recognised that some leakage may be internal to the house. The €100 annual water conservation grant can be used in this regard to address issues such as leaking cisterns, dripping taps etc. Equally, households can use the grant towards other conservation measures such as the costs of water butts or installing dual flush toilets or rain water systems, de-sludging septic tanks or maintaining wells to ensure operating efficiency.
The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.
As the Department of Social Protection will administer the grant the process is streamlined and clearer for householders. It is also important that all households have an equal chance to reduce their water consumption in their principal private dwellings. This approach has a number of policy advantages as it makes water charges more affordable for lower income groups; conservation ensures a better use of our water resources and avoids unnecessary or premature expansion of water treatment plants; and it is environmentally sustainable and protects our water environment which is to the benefit of all citizens.
221. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount owed in non-recouped library fees to councils who operate library services; if he will provide the total figure for amounts owed in fines to all local authorities; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe charging of library fees and levying of fines and all decisions relating to the management of library fines and fees are operational matters for local authorities. Accordingly, the information sought is not available in my Department.
222. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the local authorities that have one or more access officers; if the access officers are full-time or part-time positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1905/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The data gathered do not provide detail in respect of individual grades or job titles within each local authority, and accordingly, the information requested is not available in my Department.
223. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that all county development plans prioritise facilitating access for all, in particular for wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1906/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Sectorial Plan, as provided for in section 31 of the Disability Act 2005, was developed in consultation with groups representing people with disabilities to assist the Department and local authorities in supporting an inclusive society with accessible buildings, facilities, services and information. In accordance with my Department’s Sectorial 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.
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) takes a central role in the implementation of the Disability Strategy in the local government sector and provides a range of advice and support to local authorities in that regard.
The Building Control Act 1990 and the Building Regulations 1997-2014 set down the minimum, legally enforceable standards that must be applied to the design and construction of buildings including in respect of access and use. The statutory requirements are set out in the relevant parts included under the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997-2014. Technical guidance document Part M demonstrates how the statutory requirements in relation to access and use may be achieved in practice and aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment.
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned. Section 10 of the Act requires a development plan to include, inter alia, objectives for the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population. Accordingly, planning authorities include objectives in their development plans as appropriate to take significant and inclusive account of relevant statutory obligations including the building regulations.
Given the roles of the Building Control Act 1990, and Regulations made thereunder, and the Development Plan in specifying requirements and standards in relation to sustainable development generally, inclusive of access related matters, I am satisfied that the building control and planning processes fully support enhancement of access for all.
