Written Answers Nos. 521 to 536
521. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the independent review into planning irregularities in six local authorities; when the review will be published; if he will commit to a debate in Dáil Éireann on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10070/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants were appointed in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions in six selected planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) in accordance with section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. I expect to receive the final report from the consultants shortly and I subsequently intend to publish it having considered its contents. The issue of a debate on the report is a matter for consideration at that stage.
522. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide by county his plans for library amalgamation; the library services he expects to be amalgamated; the services amalgamated to date; if any closures or service reductions are expected to result as part of the process; the timeframe for the amalgamations to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10072/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report Managing the Delivery of Effective Library Services contains detailed arrangements for the planning and implementation of new structures in order to establish stronger, more effective and efficient public libraries and deliver better library services to local communities and citizens. This includes proposals for a new shared services structure for library authorities and a shared services structure for affiliated cities and counties that would result in a single management structure with consequent resource efficiencies.
Under the new model, frontline service will continue to be locally focused, people-centred, with opportunities for enhanced individual and community support services and engagement. The increased capacity resulting from the new structures will increase the scope for developing and enhancing services to the public, providing a broader range of services to the same high standard across the country. This initiative does not involve the closure of libraries and, over time, the shared management structures will increase the scope for developing and enhancing services to the public, providing a broader range of services to the same high standard across the country. Indeed, there will be no decrease in the number of library services or library branches arising from Managing the Delivery of Effective Library Services.
The local authorities that will be realigned to provide new structures serving a population in excess of 100,000 are:
- Carlow/Kilkenny;
- Cavan/Monaghan;
- Laois/Offaly;
- Leitrim/Roscommon/Sligo; and
- Longford/Westmeath.
Cork City/Cork County, currently with affiliated services, would also become a shared service. The target for implementation of the measures under Managing the Delivery of Effective Library Services is 30 June 2015.
523. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the money paid to hotels and bed and breakfasts in the Dublin region for the provision of accommodation for homeless families; the amount each unit of accommodation is costing; and the checks carried out by his Department or Dublin City Council on such accommodation. [10109/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Housing authorities provide additional funding from their own resources.
During 2014 my Department provided a total of €35,322,223 in Exchequer ‘Section 10’ funding to the Dublin Region in respect of homeless services. The specific breakdown sought, in relation to hotels, bed and breakfasts and unit cost, is not available in my Department.
My Department has no function with regard to operational matters, such as assessing accommodation standards, which are matters for the relevant housing authorities.
524. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if financial assistance is available from his Department in respect of a community initiative (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [10128/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER elements of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme are now closed and not taking any further applications for funding.
The LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will provide a total of €250 million to support the development of sustainable rural communities. LEADER is delivered through the medium of Local Development Strategies (LDS) by Local Action Groups and I hope to be in a position to launch the selection process for LDSs very shortly, with a view to having strategies operational towards the end of 2015.
It should be noted that a project such as that described by the Deputy in the details supplied may be eligible in principle for funding under the LEADER elements of the RDP. However, as LEADER projects are supported through the medium of LDSs, such a project would need to be identified as a priority within that strategy. All final decisions on the allocation of funding at a local level rest with the Local Action Groups.
525. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the changes he proposes to the group water scheme subvention from his Department; the timeframe for the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10137/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide by county in tabular form the expected future subvention rate of rural group water schemes in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and the future expected subvention rate in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10138/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
As part of the Government Decision on Irish Water financing taken on 6 May 2014, the Government agreed that the subsidisation of group water schemes be reviewed to ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies. This approach to ensuring households in the group water sector receive equivalent support, while allowing for any transitional issues, to sustain improvement in quality in the sector, was reiterated on 19 November 2014, following a review of the water charging regime undertaken by the Government, the outcome of which was the announcement of a revised charging system for Irish Water customers.
Following completion of the review of the subsidisation of group water schemes the following revised subsidies are operative with effect from 1 January 2015.
- Subsidy A towards the general operational and management costs of group schemes served from a public source is €40 (down from €70);
- Subsidy A towards the general operational and management costs of group schemes served from a private source is €95 (down from €140); and
- Subsidy B towards the operational and maintenance costs associated with “bona fide” Design Build Operate contracts for schemes which have their own water treatment facilities remains unchanged at €220.
The revised subsidies represent fair treatment between drinking water consumers in the public and group sectors having regard to the inherent differences in structure, funding and organisation between the sectors.
The reply to Question No. 287 of 5 February 2015 set out the amount recouped by my Department to local authorities in respect of subsidies paid by the authorities towards the operational costs of group water schemes in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The annual savings from the introduction of the changes in subsidies, which will impact on the rate of subsidisation from 2015 to 2018, are currently estimated to be in the region of €1.2 million. This amount is based on the number of houses for which Subsidy A was recouped to local authorities in 2014 qualifying for the full new subsidy amounts in 2015. However, this amount is likely to vary as some houses may not qualify, on the basis of incurred expenditure, for the full subsidy amount. In addition, the number of schemes applying for subsidy may vary from year to year.
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 (primary dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process. This will also apply in the case of group water scheme households.
The Government remains committed to continuing to support the group water sector as an important element of the water industry in Ireland, founded on co-operative community and voluntary engagement, and to invest in the sector to sustain and improve quality standards and performance.
527. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce changes to new rural group water schemes, as recommended by the national rural water services committee; the timeframe for any such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10139/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme is, therefore, a matter for the local authorities.
The National Rural Water Services Committee, which has a role in advising me in relation to policy and investment in rural water services, has been considering issues arising for the establishment of new group water schemes, particularly where the costs involved call into question the viability of the scheme. Following a recommendation by the Committee, an increase of €1,000 in the maximum grant per house applying to new group water schemes was announced in April 2014. My Department, therefore, now funds 85% of the cost of such schemes, subject to a maximum grant per house of €7,475, rather than the previous limit of €6,475 per house.
My Department is currently considering, in the context of the 2015 Rural Water Programme, a recommendation from the Committee relating to new group water schemes which it may previously have been possible to consider for CLAR (Ceantair Laga Ard-Riachtanais) funding which was administered by the former Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs. I will reach a decision on this recommendation as soon as possible.
528. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East Leader Partnership by a community centre (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited due to the time elapsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10154/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project file concerned was recently referred to my Department by Mayo North East Leader Partnership for review. I understand this review has now been completed and the findings were forwarded to Mayo North East Leader Partnership on 3 March 2015.
529. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if planning permission is required where a residential property is changed from being owner-occupied to rented; if not, his views on such an approach being a feasible proposal for further consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10164/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning permission is required for development - that is, the carrying out of works - or for a change in the use of land or structures, unless the development is specifically exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission.
A change in the status of a residential property from being owner-occupied to being occupied by tenants – without any change in the structure of the property - would not constitute a change of use of a property for planning purposes and would therefore not require planning permission.
However, the subdivision of a residential property into 2 or more residential units constitutes development and would require planning permission.
530. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the position of those responsible for providing insurance cover for schools used by his Department as polling stations for elections, and referendums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10212/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the electors entitled to vote there. In advance of elections and referendums, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform makes an order setting out a schedule of charges that are acceptable for the purposes of conducting the election or referendum, as appropriate. The position in relation to insurance for schools was set out in the Order, made by the Minister for the European and local elections held in May 2014. It provided that as the cost of running elections-referendums is borne by the State, it was not necessary for local returning officers to arrange insurance. It further clarified that claims taken against local returning officers and their staff engaged in carrying out their duties in accordance with the Electoral Acts would be dealt with under State Indemnity by the State Claims Agency and the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
On the matter of public liability insurance in relation to schools used for election purposes, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has advised returning officers of the view of the State Claims Agency that schools would have adequate public liability insurance and that there should be no need for schools to take out additional insurance for elections. If their cover was found to be inadequate, it is possible that their legal liability for some claims would fall on the State because their insurance cover was not sufficient to meet their legal liability.
532. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he envisages being in a position to direct Dublin City Council to commence hiring of additional maintenance and landscaping staff in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10259/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisation arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.
My Department works closely with Dublin City Council in relation to overall staffing requirements and will examine all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints.
533. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to make amendments to the Building Control Act 2014 for residential houses and self-builds in view of the significant increase in the cost of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10275/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply given in the Topical Issues Debate on this matter on 25 February 2015 which sets out the up-to-date position.
534. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government now that the tendering process for the social inclusion and community activation programme is completed, his views regarding the future of the Cherry Orchard Equine Centre, Dublin 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10292/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra551. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 10 will receive interim funding post-31 March 2015. [10557/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 551 together.
My Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State and is being implemented on a transitional basis until the end of March 2015, pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) on 1 April 2015.
In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice, good practice internationally and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, SICAP is subject to a public procurement process, which is in its final stages. Tenderers have now been informed of the outcome of their tender and Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are in the process of issuing contracts to the successful tenderers.
It should be noted that as there is currently a 14 day standstill period in place, the public procurement process is still ongoing and, therefore, confidentiality requirements continue to apply. Following contract signature, Pobal will publish a Contract Award Notice in the Official Journal of the EU (http://ted.europa.eu/) and on the eTenders website (www.etenders.gov.ie ) announcing the results of the procurement process. Such notice is likely to be published in early April 2015.
Consistent with the transitional arrangements to extend the LCDP until the roll out of SICAP in April 2015 and to ensure business continuity, interim LCDP funding is being provided to the Cherry Orchard Equine, Education and Training Centre up to end March 2015, pending the conclusion of the SICAP competitive process.
My Department appreciates the importance of the work of the Cherry Orchard Equine Centre. However, the issues involved are broader than just those relating to SICAP. With regard to funding post March 2015, my Department and Dublin City Council are currently exploring options for a feasible approach and will be in contact with Cherry Orchard Equine Centre in that regard in the near future.
535. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his attention has been drawn to the waiting list for funding for the adaptation of existing dwellings to meet the requirements of older persons in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10314/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis year, Exchequer funding of over €40 million will be provided for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. This represents a 10% in crease on the funding available in 2014. The Scheme is generally 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from each local authority. The allocation to Kildare County Council for 2014 was €2,274,787, of which €454,957 was to be provided by the Council.
The detailed administration of these grant schemes, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grants to applicants under the various grant measures is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. I expect to announce the 2015 capital allocations to local authorities under the schemes shortly.
536. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East Leader Partnership in respect of a company (details supplied) in County Mayo. [10320/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project in question was submitted to my Department by Mayo North East Leader Partnership requesting written approval, which is a requirement for projects seeking funding in excess of €150,000 under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2014.
This written approval has now been issued to Mayo North East Leader Partnership.
