Written Answers Nos 676-694
676. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of the top ten earners employed by Donegal County Council and their salaries ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13329/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate information relating to the salaries of individuals employed by Local Authorities.
677. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to resolve the homeless situation in Waterford city and, in particular, the plans there are to put vacant properties such as Clarendon Court and Penrose Quay into public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13344/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra678. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Waterford City and County Council is acquiring vacant properties to alleviate the homeless situation in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13345/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra680. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to resolve homelessness in Waterford city; his plans to put vacant properties such as Clarendon Court and Penrose Quay into public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13382/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra681. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Waterford City and County Council is acquiring vacant properties to alleviate homelessness in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13383/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 677, 678, 680 and 681 together.
My 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 the housing authorities.
On 20 May 2014, the Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness was published in which the Government's approach to delivery on its objective of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. A copy of this plan is available on my Department's website:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/ .
Local authorities are responsible for the detailed planning of social housing provision based on the needs of their areas. In this case, it is a matter for Waterford City and County Council to identify the appropriate initiatives to respond to their housing need. This includes consideration by them of options to acquire available properties, as well as building, leasing and the provision of housing supports through the private rental sector.
The recently published Social Housing Strategy 2020: Support, Supply and Reform sets out clear, national targets to increase the supply of social housing, while Budget 2015 has provided increased funding to support these targets. My Department will work with Waterford City and County Council and other local authorities within the context of the increased funding now available, to meet the Social Housing Strategy targets for 2015 and beyond.
Successfully tackling the current homelessness issue demands that a higher priority be afforded to homeless households in the allocation of housing and accordingly I issued a Ministerial Direction to a number of local authorities, including Waterford City and County Council, on 27 January 2015. The Direction to prioritise homeless households and other vulnerable groups will see at least 30% of the dwellings available for allocation over the six-month period from 27 January to 26 July 2015 to such households that had qualified for social housing support on or before 1 December 2014.
679. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that Sligo County Council has had a deficit in its revenue account in the years 2008 to 2014; if he is further aware that the council’s cumulative deficit now stands at more than €26 million, with long-term debt in excess of €120 million; if he is aware that a majority of the members of the council approved an increase in its overdraft facility to €13.5 million for the 12 month period, April 2015 to 31 March 2016; his plans to sanction the increased overdraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13378/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority. The continued deterioration of Sligo County Council’s financial position is of serious concern to me. While it is a matter for individual local authorities to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, my Department is in regular consultation with the Council in relation to its financial position, including in relation to the agreement of a long term financial plan to address these issues; this process is on-going.
Under the Local Government Act 2001 local authorities must obtain the consent of the appropriate Minister to borrowing, including for overdraft borrowing which requires the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Given the nature of how local authority expenditure is funded and recouped, it is accepted that local authorities may have recourse to overdraft from time to time as:
- capital spending by local authorities is funded in arrears by this Department and other relevant Government Departments;
- the timing of local authority income – rates, charges, rents, etc. – will not always match expenditure; and
- local authorities cannot (in most cases) cease service provision in the event of non-payment of charges.
In considering sanctioning applications for overdraft, my Department ensures that the level of overdraft sought is not excessive, the purpose for which the overdraft is sought is appropriate and that the overdraft has the approval of the elected members of the local authority (as required under section 106 of the Local Government Act 2001).
Sligo County Council had a sanctioned overdraft approval of €13.5m to 31 March 2015. The Council submitted an application to my Department, accompanied by the required resolution from the Members of the Council, seeking approval of an overdraft limit of €13.5m to commence with effect from 1 April 2015. This request has been sanctioned for a period of 6 months by my Department.
682. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the reduced funding for the social inclusion and community activation programme and the fact that a number of organisations have lost out in the tendering process, when the workers and their unions may expect to be consulted in respect of the knock–on employment matters that will ensue; the reason, subsequent to a Labour Court recommendation (details supplied), the workers have been completely excluded from the process to date; his plans to alter this position. [13408/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 establishing contracts with the successful tenderers.
In relation to the details supplied in the Question, my Department has no role in the internal operations of LDCs and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are solely for the Board of each company, as the employer, to manage. Each funding Department is responsible for its own funding and contractual arrangements with the LDCs.
My Department is, however, providing practical financial support to LDCs to facilitate an orderly closure of the LCDP and the move to the new arrangements. This includes financial assistance to companies to deal with statutory redundancy payments and such other supports as are considered appropriate in the context of the closure of the LCDP. It should be noted that Pobal are currently liaising with LDCs on these issues.
684. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the eligibility criteria for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland warmer homes scheme, which only applies to family income supplement applicants, jobseekers with a child under seven years of age and persons in receipt of fuel allowance; the reason persons in receipt of invalidity allowance or disability allowance are not eligible. [13129/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No 927 of 24 March, 2015. The position is unchanged.
685. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 1 October 2014, the start and end dates of the validation exercise to which he refers in his reply. [12722/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will have noted in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 1 October 2014 that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme on behalf of my Department and that I have no function in relation to individual grant applications or appeals.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hotline can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
I am advised that the appeal about which the Deputy has enquired was reviewed in November 2014 and a grant was paid to the householder in December 2014.
686. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans regarding rebates for persons or businesses selling electricity back to the grid using photovoltaic solar panels. [12848/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. The schemes operate by guaranteeing a minimum price for renewable energy generation over a 15 year period. The technologies supported include onshore wind energy, hydroelectricity, landfill gas, waste-to-energy and biomass technologies, including anaerobic digestion. Solar PV is not one of the qualifying technologies for this scheme. Further information is available on my Department's website, www.dcenr.ie.
There are tax relief based incentives available such as the Employment and Investment Incentive (EII) Scheme which allows individual investors to obtain income tax relief on investments in renewable energy in each tax year. This scheme supercedes the previous Business Expansion Scheme. It provides a minimum tax relief of 30% with an additional 11% accruing at the end of the third and final year if the business has expanded to employ a designated number of people (or if the investment was used for R&D). The scheme has an investment cap of €750,000 and may thus be suited to small industrial renewable energy projects. A number of financial services companies offer EII Funds or portfolios to investors.
Additionally, the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) scheme was introduced in 2008 and extended in Budget 2015 for a further three years. The scheme allows companies to offset the cost of investment in qualifying renewable energy generation technologies, against their tax liabilities in Year 1 rather than over a more prolonged period, thus aiding their cash flow.
Separately, my Department is currently considering the responses to the public consultation on the Green Paper on Energy. The Green Paper, inter alia, sought feedback on the role that alternative technologies, such as solar, could play in delivering our renewable energy ambitions. Views received will be taken into consideration in the preparation of the White Paper on Energy which will be published in September.
Given the emerging policy context and the requirements of the EU internal market for electricity, my Department will be considering the appropriateness of a new support scheme for renewable electricity, from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of the available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of support required. The scheme would be subject to State Aid clearance and the initial public consultation on a new scheme will commence in the coming weeks.
687. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps that will be taken to ensure the energy efficiency measures and the obligations which have been placed on the electricity supply companies will not ultimately be placed on the bills of domestic and non-domestic consumers; his assessment of the additional cost to the consumer if this happens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12849/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2012 EU Energy Efficiency Directive imposes an obligation on Member States to achieve energy savings each year from 2014 to 2020 of 1.5% of the amount of energy sold annually to final customers. The Directive also requires the involvement of energy distributors and retailers in meeting this obligation
In Ireland's case, achieving this target requires annual energy savings of 1,102 gigawatt hours (GWh). The Government has decided to meet this target by imposing an annual target of 550GWh on the energy industry, with additional Government measures to deliver the remaining savings required by the Directive. By splitting responsibility for the required savings between industry and Government, an appropriate balance has been struck that allows Ireland to meet its obligation at a lower cost to the consumer.
To implement this obligation, Energy Efficiency Notices have issued to energy suppliers under Statutory Instrument No. 131 of 2014. These notices impose legally binding energy saving obligations on all energy suppliers that sell more than 600 gigawatt hours of energy for the years 2014-2016. Suppliers have considerable flexibility in how they seek to achieve the required energy savings. However, 75% of the required savings must be delivered in the commercial sector, a further 20% in the domestic sector, with 5% focused on customers experiencing energy poverty.
The obligation encourages suppliers to offer more innovative energy service products to their customers. Developing the scope for energy consumers to manage their energy use is becoming increasingly important in the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
It is my intention to publish a report on the operation of the obligation scheme later this year. This report will detail the energy savings achieved in 2014 and the costs associated with achieving those savings. It is my strong intention that this EU obligation would be achieved at minimal cost to consumers. It is up to energy suppliers to decide how they reflect any costs on consumers' bills, subject to the regulatory requirements of the Commission for Energy Regulation.
688. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will liaise with An Post to carry out minor upgrading of the existing information and technology systems in post offices to facilitate direct electronic transfer of social protection payments to those recipients who may desire such payment systems; if he will ensure maximum business for the future of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13034/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOperational matters, including the automation of post offices, are a matter for the Board and Management of An Post. However, it is Government policy that An Post is in a position to provide a high quality postal service and while changes in technology and customer preferences present significant challenges, they also provide opportunities to innovate. Post offices were fully computerised some years ago and are thus in a position to become the front office provider of choice for Government for both electronic transactions as well as the more traditional over the counter transactions.
The recently established Post Office Network Business Development Group is examining the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network and identifying the new business opportunities for the post office network.
The Group’s work will be of strategic importance to the future of the post office network. I expect to receive the interim and final reports of the Group later this year.
689. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his assessment of the progress being made in achieving binding European Union measures for energy efficiency by the State by 2020, pursuant to the energy efficiency directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13041/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU has set a target of a 20% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020. While the target is not binding, implementation of a comprehensive range of measures set out in the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive is obligatory and supports the rationale for a national energy improvement target of 20%. This target is equivalent to 31,925 Gigawatt hours (GWh) and includes a target of 33% for improvement in energy efficiency in the public sector.
The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) provides the policy framework for energy efficiency in Ireland and includes the measures through which the Energy Efficiency Directive is being implemented here. In April 2014 my Department submitted Ireland’s third NEEAP to the European Commission, reporting our progress to end 2012. At that point Ireland had recorded savings of 11,419 GWh, representing 36% of our national target. That figure had risen to 14,764 GWh by end 2013, or 46%.
A particular focus of my Department, in co-operation with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), has been on the public sector target. A Public Sector Energy Efficiency Action Plan is in preparation with a view to its completion by the middle of this year. The purpose of the Action Plan is to set out the actions that each sector within the public service could take to build upon the progress made to date towards the 2020 target.
Other key deliverables for Ireland's implementation of the Directive include the establishment of Ireland’s first National Energy Efficiency Fund to provide financing for large scale energy efficiency projects in both the public and private sectors, and an Obligation Scheme for large energy suppliers requiring them to work with their customers to meet mandatory energy savings targets. The continuing delivery of the Better Energy programme by SEAI is also an important area of action. I was pleased to announce increased support levels for the Better Energy Homes scheme recently. While one in six homes in Ireland have received energy efficiency upgrades under the Better Energy programme, maintaining the momentum on domestic retrofit will remain a central priority in the coming years.
690. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will support the 30 recommendations in the O'Neill report, in respect of online abuse and the protection of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13086/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to our citizens’ safety both on and offline. It is important that there is a cohesive Government response to coordinating this regulatory function and my Department is at the forefront of this response.
In late 2013, an independent, expert Internet Content Governance Advisory Group (the ICGA Group) was established to report to the then Minister on a range of issues related to online content following a number of incidents. The Group consulted widely with key stakeholders and members of the public and their report, also referred to as the “O’Neill Report”, was approved by Cabinet and published in June 2014. It set out a comprehensive series of structural, legislative and administrative recommendations.
The Government established a Cross-Departmental Implementation Group in July 2014, which is chaired by my Department and attended by representatives from the Departments of Justice and Equality, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills and Health. The Group will report back to Government shortly, and the final report will be published in due course.
691. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made by his Department to extend smart grid efficiency to all parts of County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13199/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EirGrid Smart Grid Strategy addresses the power system challenges of the large scale deployment of new technologies – both new energy sources and new energy uses - and is not broken down into individual county initiatives. In developing the electricity grid, EirGrid works to ensure that the latest Smart Grid technologies are deployed to enhance the overall efficiency and capability of the power system for the benefit of all electricity consumers.
Ireland has a unique opportunity in Smart Grids. No other synchronous electricity system in the world manages the same levels of wind penetration (50%) seen today, much less the target of being able to safely and securely manage real-time penetration levels of 75% by 2020. The island of Ireland is effectively a live laboratory of Smart Grid evolution.
EirGrid continues to manage the Smart Grid Innovation Hub and the demonstration projects initiative which encourage innovation in new grid applications. In 2013, it also launched a Smart Grid iPhone app which enables users to see key energy related real-time data and facilitates smart energy use decisions.
In addition, EirGrid established the DS3 programme which is concerned with developing solutions to the challenges associated with increasing levels of renewable generation, particularly with regard to a secure power system operation, as we work towards achieving our 2020 renewable targets. In this regard the DS3 programme brings together many different strands, including development of financial incentives for better plant performance, and development of operational policies and system tools to use the portfolio to the best of its capabilities. Standards for wind farms and conventional plant are also being reviewed to give enhanced operational flexibility for the future.
692. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will extend the gas pipeline to County Longford, in view of the fact that the local economy depends on such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13200/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. I have no statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network.
The CER, in 2006, approved a new network connections policy, which created the opportunity to reassess the feasibility of connecting certain towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be met as a prerequisite. The policy framework provides that, over a certain period, the costs of connecting the town to the network are recouped through the actual consumption of gas and the associated tariffs. This is designed to obviate against uneconomic projects which would increase costs for all gas consumers. The policy framework allows for the appraisal of a town either on its own or as part of a regional group of towns.
As regards the connection of Longford to the gas network, the most recent assessment was undertaken a number of years ago. Having full regard to CER’s network connections policy, Bord Gáis Networks, and more recently Gaslink, carried out a comprehensive assessment of 39 towns not already connected to the national gas network, with detailed economic analysis based on criteria outlined in the policy. The study was published in April 2010 following approval by the CER. The Gaslink report found that 35 towns, including Longford, when appraised on an individual basis or as a group, did not qualify for connection on economic grounds.
Gaslink continues to keep under review the towns which did not qualify for connection under that study, and other towns, on an ongoing basis. The key factor which would qualify a town, or group of towns, in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, usually resulting from the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.
The CER recently organised a consultation on a GNI submission to it on revisions to the existing network connections policy, as mentioned above. The CER is currently reviewing the submissions received during the consultation period which closed on 13 March 2015.
693. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 24 March 2015, and in view of difficulties experienced by the enterprise centre (details supplied), if he will ensure fibre optic cables are brought as far as the enterprise centre as a priority without such cost implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13269/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are State owned fibre networks which are located in 94 regional cities and towns. These networks are managed, maintained, operated and marketed on behalf of the State by a private company, enet. enet is required to provide services on a wholesale, carrier neutral and open access basis to licensed telecommunications operators who connect to the MANs and in turn offer telecoms products and services to businesses and individuals.
I understand that the location of the premises referred to by the Deputy is outside of the area covered by the MAN in Mitchelstown. Given the distance involved from the premises to the MAN, it is understood that the costs for the civil works, associated Local Authority costs, installation of fibre and equipment would be significant. As enet is required to provide this service on a commercial basis, the service operator who would be providing the service to the premises would have to reimburse enet for all the associated charges with the delivery of the MAN service.
As I outlined in my response to the Deputy’s Question No 936 of 24 March last, the Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
The national high speed coverage map 2016 which I published last November is available at www.broadband.gov.ie . The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention.
Mitchelstown is included in the BLUE area, with many parts of the town already able to access high-speed broadband services through commercial investment. The Deputy will be in a position to access the map online and see whether the enterprise centre in question will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 or whether it will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
In tandem with the mapping consultation, intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
694. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will facilitate a disabled platform for anglers at the entrance under the new bridge over the River Maine at Riverville Currans in Farranfore in County Kerry, as it is accessible and safe and requires minimum work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13310/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the provision of a facility and access for any proposed works would be a matter for the relevant Local Authority in the first instance, in this case Kerry County Council.
I also understand that the Council may have purchased the adjoining lands and, in that regard, the issues as to whether fishing rights were part of the acquisition and what, if any, regulatory requirements arise would need to be clarified.
Following that, if the Council have proposals in relation to angling facilities, Inland Fisheries Ireland would be happy to discuss and advise from a fisheries perspective, particularly on such issues as the extent and nature of angling activity at the location and the prospective usage of such facilities.
