Written Answers Nos. 222-233
222. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding persons who are out of the country on a polling day (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8479/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra234. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to expand the provision of postal voting for citizens who find themselves out of the country, at the time of a vote, to allow them to register their vote, by means of post, so they do not lose out on their right to vote, as a result of a holiday, business, or family trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8681/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 234 together.
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 566, 590, 595, 596, 598, 603 and 604 of 24 February 2015 which sets out the position in this matter.
223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that constitutes a derelict building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8481/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no specific definition of the term “derelict building” in the Derelict Sites Act 1990. However the term “derelict site” is defined in section 3 of the Act to mean -
“any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of —
(a) the existence on the land in question of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or
(b) the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land in question, or
(c) the presence, deposit or collection on the land in question of any litter, rubbish, debris or waste, except where the presence, deposit or collection of such litter, rubbish, debris or waste results from the exercise of a right conferred by statute or by common law.”.
Supplementary to this, the term “land” is defined as “any structure and any land covered with water”, while the term “structure” is defined as “any building, erection, structure, excavation, or other thing, constructed, erected, or made on, in or under any land, or any part of a structure so defined, and, where the context so admits, includes the land on, in, or under which the structure is situate.".
224. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the increase in the number of naturalised citizens, if he will issue guidelines to polling staff, in the upcoming referenda, to allow those listed on the electoral register, as non-Irish citizens, to vote, where they can produce evidence of their citizenship, such as a passport, or certificate of naturalisation, at the polling station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8517/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 111(1) of the Electoral Act 1992, as applied to the taking of a poll at a referendum by section 32 of the Referendum Act 1994, only a person whose name is on the register of presidential electors for the time being in force for a constituency is entitled to vote at a referendum in that constituency. There is no provision in law for making changes to the register of electors at a polling station.
Under section 15(1) of the Electoral Act 1992, anyone who was entitled on the qualifying date – 1 September in the year prior to the register coming into force - to register as a presidential elector under section 7 of the Electoral Act 1992, but who has not done so, can apply for inclusion in the supplement to the register.
225. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-introduce a tenant purchase scheme, or any similar type scheme, for occupants of local authority houses nationwide. [8523/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 606 of 24 February 2015. The position is unchanged.
226. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration will be given to the request of the Irish Road Haulage Association (details supplied), in view of the particular difficulties facing hauliers, particularly in the Border area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8559/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, has established an Inter-Departmental Working Group on issues relating to the Irish haulage industry , which includes representation from my Department.
The Group issued a consultation paper late last year to canvas the views of hauliers and other stakeholders on the options for reform of the commercial vehicle motor tax regime. The Group is currently considering the submissions received and will thereafter furnish a report containing recommendations on the future structure of commercial vehicle tax to me and to my colleagues, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Finance.
227. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the perilous funding situation of an organisation (details supplied), which conducts vital suicide prevention work in the community; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that funding to tackle suicide has never been of more critical need, considering the number of suicides reached its highest ever number in 2011 and that Ireland has the fourth highest rate of suicide for men aged 15 to 24 years of age, in Europe; if he will commit to ensuring that vital funding to this organisation is maintained by Pobal through the scheme to support national organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8570/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The organisation referred to in the Question was not successful on this occasion.
Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, an appeals process was put in place, on foot of which Pobal submitted a report, which is currently being considered .
On 18 July 2014, it was announced that bridging funding of €1.4 million would be allocated for a twelve month period to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the new scheme, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. This bridging funding in 2014/2015 will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the SSNO. The organisation in question was allocated €58,028 for the twelve month period to 30 June 2015.
The review process is underway and is being advanced in consultation with the Department of Health. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in the review. All organisations in receipt of bridging funding have been contacted to make submissions as part of the review process. I intend to complete and publish the outcome of the review over the coming months.
228. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the funding provided to Inishbofin Island in 2013, and 2014 by the sections of his Department originally part of the old Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. [8571/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, my Department contracts Local Development Companies to deliver the programme locally in line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development.
Comhar na nOilean is the Local Development Company which is responsible for delivery of the programme on Inishbofin Island, and it provided funding of €64,445 and €2,552 to the island in 2013 and 2014, respectively, under the programme.
My Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current programme is being implemented on a transitional basis until 31 March, pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) on 1 April.
The LCDP aims to tackle poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing employment supports, training, personal development/capacity building and other supports for the harder to reach in the most disadvantaged areas in society. It is a locally accessible, frontline intervention, supporting disadvantaged communities. The LCDP also operates through the nationwide network of Local Development Companies. My Department has provided LCDP funding of €101,547 in 2013 and the same in 2014 to Inishbofin Island through Comhar na nOilean Teoranta, which is the Local Development Company with responsibility for the off-shore islands. The group is currently being funded through LCDP interim arrangements until 31 March, pending the outcome of the SICAP competitive process.
229. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a decision will be made in respect of which organisations formerly in receipt of Pobal funding and now in receipt of associated bridging funding will continue to be awarded funding; the amount that will be allocated; the number of organisations in receipt of bridging funding; the number that have applied for continued funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8573/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, an appeals process was put in place, on foot of which Pobal submitted a report, which is currently being considered .
On 18 July 2014, it was announced that bridging funding of €1.4million would be allocated for a twelve month period to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the new scheme, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. This bridging funding in 2014/2015 will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the SSNO.
The review process is underway and is being advanced in consultation with the Department of Health. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in the review. All organisations in receipt of bridging funding have been contacted to make submissions as part of the review process. I intend to complete and publish the outcome of the review over the coming months.
32 organisations are currently in receipt of bridging funding. 19 of these organisations have submitted an appeal of the original decision in relation to their funding applications.
230. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to implement the European Union's clean air for Europe directive's national emissions reduction target for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8580/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive, Ireland is required to reduce exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The CAFE Directive was transposed into Irish legislation by the Air Quality Standards Regulations 201. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the competent authority for the Regulations and the CAFE Directive. These regulations require that Member States reduce exposure to PM2.5 depending on baseline levels in ambient air, and not entailing disproportionate costs. For Ireland the national exposure reduction target (NERT) is 10%, assessed by the EPA using baseline data for the years 2009-11. The required reduction in PM2.5 exposure was calculated based on air quality monitoring carried out by the EPA from 2009 - 2011. There are multiple sources of fine particulate matter pollution and all are harmful to health. Sources include the following:
- Residential heating - solid fuels;
- Traffic – exhaust fumes;
- Industry – emissions to air,
- Energy – emissions to air from power stations and refineries; and
- Agriculture, forestries and fisheries – emissions to air from mobile farm machinery, fishing vessels.
Total emissions of PM2.5 reduced in the decade up to 2011 but, without corrective action, are forecast to rise, in particular in the residential, industry and energy sectors, in the years up to 2020. Meeting the NERT will require a broad strategy across policy areas involving industry, the transport sector, the energy sector and all public authorities.
The first step in this process has been taken with the establishment of the NERT working group, which is a body of stakeholders, headed by the EPA, who will work to develop and implement the NERT strategy. One feature of the strategy will be an examination of Ireland’s residential heating sources, fuel types and the efficiency of the solid fuel heating systems used in Ireland for residential heating.
The complex relationship between a reduction in our carbon footprint and decreasing PM2.5 concentrations needs to be tackled in the plans to implement the NERT for 2020. Emissions of PM2.5 from biomass are expected to increase in the residential, commercial and energy sectors. This will offset the reductions achieved from energy efficiency measures in these sectors and other policy initiatives including the extension of the ban on bituminous coal, and so will require consideration to be given to tackling other high emissions residential solid fuels. The potential for emissions abatement in these sectors will be analysed.
It is also important that all relevant facilities in the industry and energy sectors are using Best Available Technology to minimise emissions of PM2.5 to air. Policies encouraging the use of biomass should be reviewed to ensure facilities are directed towards efficient combustion methods and towards those biofuels with the lowest emissions. Energy efficiency should continue to be promoted as the primary method to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency into air quality here in 2013 and in particular the section of the report addressing future challenges (details supplied), which states that the levels of particulate matter in smaller towns are similar to or higher than those in cities where bituminous coal is banned; the actions that he will take to reduce concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PM (Particulate Matter) 10 and PM 2 in such smaller towns and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8582/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra232. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the recent report of the Environmental Protection Agency entitled Air Quality in Ireland 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8586/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.
Air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are conducted for the purpose of assessment and management of air quality. The EPA has responsibility for the monitoring of air quality in Ireland, and monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from the 29 monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network.
The EPA publishes an annual report on air quality, based primarily on the monitoring requirements of the CAFE Directive. The most recent report, Air Quality in Ireland 2013 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, was published in October 2014 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2013, compared to the CAFE Directive standards as well as assessments in relation to more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines for the protection of human health.
I welcome the fact that downward trends have been identified for many pollutants and that Ireland currently meets all EU standards for air quality, while noting that Ireland exceeds WHO air quality guideline value s for particulate matter in some areas. Particulate matter levels are of concern, particularly during the winter heating season in areas where the sale of smoky coal is permitted. Because of this, levels of particulate matter in smaller towns are similar or higher than those in cities where smoky coal is banned. To help protect our good air quality, the Irish consumer must become more aware of their choice in home heating fuel and the potential impact that choice can have on air quality in their locality and on human health.
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.
Air quality monitoring by the EPA has shown that air quality is poorer in towns where the smoky coal ban does not apply, although there is evidence that smaller smoky coal ban areas tend to be less effective. The further extension of the ban to smaller towns on an individual basis may not be the most effective solution to addressing the problem of emissions from residential solid fuel use in these areas. Similarly, the border with Northern Ireland would present enforcement challenges if a national ban on smoky coal were unilaterally introduced. However, it is recognised that having different regulations between urban and rural locations is not ideal, as it results in different levels of environmental protection and clean air benefits for citizens in different locations.
Under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council, and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, my Department has commissioned a study to inform a discussion on policy options to further address emissions from residential solid fuel use on an all-island basis. The study includes-
- an assessment of the solid fuel market and barriers to the use of cleaner fuels;
- consideration of the role and impacts of biomass (primarily wood and wood-based products) and the links to climate policy; and
- an economic analysis addressing the potential positive and negative effects on the consumer, for example, resulting from potential fuel switching, the availability of smokeless fuels to supply an all-island market and job creation opportunities in the manufacture and supply of smokeless fuels.
A final report is expected to be presented to the North South Ministerial Council later this year. It should be noted that no decision has been made at this point regarding a nation-wide ban on the sale of smoky coal.
233. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total numbers of meetings he or his officials have held with a person or company (details supplied) in the context of a proposed bid to purchase Permanent TSB mortgages; if he will confirm that he was aware of any form of this proposal that would include fees from the company being paid to the person or other company, or the company obtaining rent supplement for the borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8654/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither my Department nor I have had meetings with the company or person referred to regarding a bid to purchase Permanent TSB mortgages. I understand that the Housing Agency have had discussions with a number of stakeholders, including this Group, in relation to various proposals on foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears. I also understand that my colleague, Ann Phelan T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Local, Community and Rural Development, also met with a number of stakeholders working in the mortgage arrears area, including this Group, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the key issues involved.
The administration of the rent supplement scheme falls within the remit of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
