Written Answers Nos. 208-216
208. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of the 200 additional technical staff, recently announced for local authority housing sections, that will be allocated to Dublin City Council and to Fingal County Council; and the categories of expertise these technical staff will have. [7316/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 February 2015, I announced that my Department, in conjunction with the Department for Public Expenditure & Reform, has approved approximately 200 staff for local authorities, in order to implement the targets set within the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
My Department has approved or approved in principle up to 50 housing posts for Dublin City Council and 28 posts have been approved or approved in principle for Fingal County Council. The type of posts covered are Architects, Engineers, Planners, Surveyors, Housing Officers, Craftsmen - all at varying grades ranging from Graduates to Directors of Services.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. My Department continues to work closely with Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council in relation to their staffing requirements for housing.
209. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the ban on bituminous coal to any new urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7320/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or "smoky coal ban" as it is commonly known) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. The ban proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with the then EU standards, the ban also had the effect of significantly improving human health in the capital: research indicates that the ban in Dublin has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. The ban was subsequently extended to other urban areas.
In August 2012, following a public consultation process, new solid fuel regulations (S.I. No. 326 of 2012) were introduced with the aim of ensuring that the smoky coal ban remains fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of certain residential solid fuels. The ban now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide, including all towns with a population greater than 15,000 people, bringing the ban areas broadly into line with national EPA air quality management zones.
While my Department keeps the matter under regular review, I have no immediate plans at present to extend the ban to new towns.
210. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the demand for access to the housing adaptation grant for elderly persons in this Deputy's constituency, his plans to reintroduce the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7321/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which is administered by the local authorities, grants are available to assist households to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. Three separate schemes are available as follows.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, which assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Grants for up to €30,000 are available for works including the provision of access ramps, stair lifts, accessible toilet and shower facilities, wheelchair access and extensions.
The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is available to fast track grants of up to €6,000 to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works.
The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating, cleaning, painting etc.
The detailed administration of these schemes, including the apportionment of funding between the various grant measures and the assessment, approval and payment of grants to individual applicants under the various grant measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
Last year, Exchequer funding of over €37 million was provided for the grant schemes. I am pleased to be in a position to increase that funding by some 10% in 2015 to €40.4 million; individual allocations to local authorities will be made shortly.
Funding in the total amount of €654,876 was made available to Sligo in 2014 for the grant schemes.
211. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department have been informed when the Commission for Energy Regulation will finalise its decision on Irish Water's new connection charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7360/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department expect to be informed of the decision made by the Commission for Energy Regulation on new connection charges for Irish Water, before it is announced publicly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7361/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra213. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department will be making their views on new connection charges for Irish Water known to the Commission for Energy Regulation prior to a decision being made; if there is a process available to do same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7362/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the public consultation on the new connection charges for Irish Water will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7363/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department have received letters from local authority chief executive officers regarding the new connection fees for Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7364/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or his Department officials have met to discuss the new connection charges for Irish Water even though it is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7365/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 216, inclusive, together.
With 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. While my Department and Irish Water are in regular engagement in relation to future capital investment, it is a matter for the CER to approve charges in respect of the provision of a service connection to or in respect of a premises.
In its decision on Irish Water's Water Charges Plan, published in October 2014, the CER stated that, until it made a decision on Irish Water's new connection charges, Irish Water should continue to apply rates equivalent to the water and wastewater related development levies which were applied by the local authorities at 31 December 2013.
The CER is currently working with Irish Water to develop a high level work plan for the year ahead and this will include the new approach to connection charges. This plan will be published in the coming weeks. A more detailed work plan outlining the consultation schedule will be published later this year. The CER has informed my Department that it will consult widely with stakeholders when considering any submission from Irish Water, and that there will be many opportunities for interested parties, including my Department, to participate in the consultations on the new connection charging policy.
I am not aware of any letters received in my Department from local authority chief executives regarding the new connection fees for Irish Water.
