Written Answers Nos. 239-247
239. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is possible to combine the grant for septic tanks with the grant for group sewerage schemes, where septic tanks have failed inspections and where they are close to the current foul main, but where the current grant under the group sewerage scheme is insufficient to make the project viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13753/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of individual septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the EPA's National Inspection Plan and the subsequent issue of an Advisory Notice by the local authority, to require repair or upgrading. Where an inspection identifies risks to human health or the environment, the possibility of connection to any nearby public sewer will of course feature when considering the remediation works required.
The qualification criteria for the grants scheme are set out in the legislation and full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, are set out in the explanatory leaflet and application form published on my Department's website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad,33607,en.pdf.
Responsibility for the administration of my Department's Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided for group water/sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the annual block grant allocations provided is therefore a matter for the local authorities.
The group sewerage scheme grants apply to schemes containing multiple dwellings and must remain separate from the grants scheme for individual waste water treatment systems which targets financial assistance at individual low-income households which incur expenditure directly as a result of the implementation of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.
240. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals he has to continue the scheme to support national organisations, including health and disability organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13756/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the Dyslexia Association of Ireland receives the maximum support available under the scheme to support national organisations in 2015 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13822/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together.
The 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. Some 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. A number of previously funded organisations were not approved for funding on this occasion.
Pobal were asked to undertake the 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. Details of the bridging funding provided are set out in the following table.
The review process is well underway and is being advanced in consultation with the Department of Health. The review is designed to rationalise the funding of these organisations to ensure efficiency in the use of public money and avoidance of duplication, while providing appropriate support to organisations working in the sector. 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 in the coming months.
|
Bridging Funding Provided 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 |
€ |
|
Arthritis Ireland |
53,882 |
|
Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland Ltd |
41,448 |
|
Asthma Society of Ireland |
41,448 |
|
Breaking Through Limited |
58,028 |
|
Chronic Pain Ireland Limited |
37,304 |
|
Dyslexia Association of Ireland |
62,172 |
|
Genetic and Inherited Disorders Organisation Ltd |
16,580 |
|
GROW in Ireland |
16,580 |
|
Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland Limited |
19,066 |
|
Irish Deaf Society The National Association of the Deaf Limited |
62,172 |
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
41,448 |
|
Irish Mountain Rescue Association |
58,028 |
|
Irish National Council of Attention Deficit Disorder Support (INCADDS) |
33,158 |
|
Irish Stammering Association |
24,868 |
|
Migraine Association of Ireland Ltd |
29,014 |
|
Motor Neuron disease Association |
24,868 |
|
MOVE Ireland |
41,448 |
|
Muintir na Tíre |
70,462 |
|
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland |
37,304 |
|
National Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Ireland Limited |
37,304 |
|
National Association for Youth Drama Ltd |
29,014 |
|
New Communities Partnership (NCP) Ltd |
74,606 |
|
Peter Bradley Foundation Limited |
41,448 |
|
Post Polio Support Group Limited |
24,868 |
|
Safe Ireland |
74,606 |
|
Show Racism The Red Card Limited |
29,014 |
|
Suas Educational Development |
37,304 |
|
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland |
62,172 |
|
The Carers Association Limited |
62,172 |
|
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland |
49,738 |
|
The Neurological Alliance of Ireland |
49,738 |
|
The Union of Voluntary Organisations of People with Disabilities |
45,592 |
242. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management will publish the risk assessment associated with the keeping communities safe document. [13845/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Question relates to the Reports on the "Area Risk Categorisation" process as outlined in Chapter 7 of “Keeping Communities Safe” (KCS).
I can confirm that fire service management in all 27 fire services have prepared Area Risk Categorisations (ARCs) in accordance with KCS. These are local documents, reflecting the local view of fire risk as determined by local fire service management, and evidenced by extensive data sets. These have been developed by each of the local authorities, and issues regarding their publication are a matter for the local authorities themselves. I anticipate that local authorities will make this first round of their ARCs available to interested parties in due course.
I can confirm that a two-person “External Validation Group” was tasked to visit all 27 fire services, with a view to ensuring that each service's ARC is consistent with the process recommended in the KCS document. The External Validation Group has completed their programme of visits to all 27 fire services and I expect to publish the Group's report by the end of Q2 2015.
243. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management will publish the isochrone drive time maps associated with the keeping communities safe document. [13846/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management commenced a project to develop a national 'Risk Based Approach' (RBA) to fire cover. This involved analysis of three years of fire services data and has enabled analysis and comparison of trends down to fire station level. The first phase of the RBA project was the production of the “Risk Based Management Report – National Analysis”, which looked at the individual station and authority information and compiled it into a national data set, which was distributed to local authorities.
The second phase of the “Risk Based Management Approach” project, which is currently being progressed, involves creation of reports providing detailed analysis and information on the deployment of fire services resources on a national basis, with a view to giving effect to the principle of “nearest available resource” being mobilised to emergency incidents irrespective of administrative boundaries. The purpose of these reports is to provide guidance to fire authorities in reviewing and redefining the pre-determined attendances in their areas of responsibility.
The Isochronal sets referred to in the Deputy's question are one element of the second phase of the RBA project developed by the Regional Communications Centres in conjunction with local authorities. Accordingly, these are local documents, developed to support the local situation and are the property of each of the local authorities.
As such, decisions on whether or not to publish RBA reports and make them available to interested parties are matters for the individual local authorities to consider.
244. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will publish the details concerning the keeping communities safe document and ancillary documentation. [13847/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy document Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) was published in February 2013 by my Department. The document is the output of a review process undertaken by my Department through a collaborative process between central and local government. This involved expert professional input by Chief Fire Officers and fire services personnel. The development process also included stakeholder consultation and engagement with relevant technical organisations. A review team was formed which looked at previous reports on fire services and international practice literature. The team developed initial ideas on issues and brought these to the National Fire Directorate's Management Board. These were combined into the draft versions of the document, which were used in the consultation process.
The original Keeping Communities Safe document is supplemented by a series of subject-specific Support Documents and Good Practice Notes. These deal with areas like Fire Service Training and Safety Management Systems in Fire Service. The Good Practice Notes (GPNs) describe the approach taken to specific issues by individual fire authorities, endorsed at national level, and aim to further the objectives of achieving consistent good practice and inter-authority learning.
Working structures and arrangements have been put in place to ensure that fire services personnel, working collectively, are central to the further fire service development process. These comprise relevant professional experts from fire authorities, with a mandate and a commission from the National Director to produce specified outputs. I am grateful to all those personnel in fire authorities who have made and continue to make valuable contributions to maintaining Ireland's position in the league of most fire safe countries.
245. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, through the local chief fire officers, is attempting to utilise section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1981 to implement the keeping communities safe document, and to transfer complete and overall responsibility for the provision of the fire and rescue service, within the respective local authorities, to elected councillors and representatives. [13848/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFire services in Ireland are provided by the local authorities designated in accordance with the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. The fire authorities provide a range of operational and fire safety services through 27 service delivery units currently, using an infrastructure of some 220 fire stations and 600 fire appliances and associated specialist equipment.
My Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management provides support through setting general policy, the provision of training support and guidance on operational and other related matters, and capital funding which, over the last decade, has exceeded €155 million.
In February 2013 the Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) policy document was published as national policy and for the first time national standards were established for fire services in Ireland. Local authority fire service provision can now be benchmarked against these national standards. KCS was prepared through a collaborative approach between central and local government, involving expert professional input by Chief Fire Officers and fire services personnel.
The KCS development process considered the option of a national fire service but it was decided it should remain a local government service, while moving to a 'shared services' structure with a reduction in the number of service delivery units in the interests of consistency and an enhanced range of services.
The objective of KCS implementation in the period 2013-2015 is to have all fire services benchmarked against the national norms and standards while maintaining local political accountability. Accountability for fire service delivery is maintained through the normal arrangements under which the local authority executive is answerable to its elected members for the implementation of policy, as well as the exercise by local authority elected members of their reserved function of adopting “Fire and Emergency Operations Plans”, preparation of which is a statutory requirement under Section 26 of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. The principles of local democratic control and accountability for fire service provision are therefore maintained, while at the same time providing for consistency and national standards for a public service as important as the fire service.
246. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the precise criteria used by consultancy firms (details supplied) in determining to which entity to award the original Irish Water tender in 2012; the amount that was paid to said firms for their services in respect of this advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13852/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations in an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. The tender was advertised on the eTenders website, in accordance with public procurement guidelines. The award criteria used was published as part of the procurement process and was based on technical merit (Approach to Assignment, Project Management and Delivery Programme) and price. A consortium from PWC and McCann Fitzgerald were appointed to undertake the work and the final cost of the services provided was €179,584, inclusive of VAT.
While the consortium advised on the range of issues which would have to be taken into account in considering whether an existing State agency should undertake the role, the analysis which underpinned the decision to ask Bord Gáis Eireann (now Ervia) to undertake the role, was undertaken by a team comprising my Department and NewERA, in consultation with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The process involved an assessment of the capacity and capabilities of a number of State agencies from amongst those identified in the independent assessment as having the potential to incorporate a new water utility. A copy of the report of this assessment and the range of capabilities is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad,29193,en.pdf.
247. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he proposes to implement to ensure that the legitimate business of licensed dealers involved in the disposal of end-of-life vehicles is no longer undermined through illegal practices; if he will ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to ensure that all provisions in litter legislation, waste management legislation and road traffic legislation are complied with, in respect of the disposal of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13855/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnforcement of the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulations is primarily a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local authorities. However, as part of the Producer Responsibility Initiative (PRI) Review, my Department published a report on the ELV system in November 2013. The report concluded that the Irish ELV system is not performing to the optimum level and outlined the need for comprehensive structural change. The key recommendations of the report included: The establishment of a compliance scheme for the ELV PRI, and an increased enforcement focus by local authorities on unauthorised ELV sites.
The report also contained several further recommendations concerning technical aspects of the current system, simplification of reporting requirements and enhanced enforcement and awareness raising measures.
An ELV Working Group was established in June 2014 comprising industry, local authorities and other regulatory bodies to assist my Department in implementing the recommendations of the report. Arising from the Group's work, a compliance scheme for the sector, End-of-Life Vehicle Environmental Services (ELVES) Ltd., has recently been established, comprising “producers” in the sector. As recommended in the ELV report, local authorities and the compliance scheme should collaborate to improve the identification of non-compliant businesses. In conjunction with establishment of this scheme, it is my Department's intention to overhaul the existing Certificate of Destruction (CoD) system and I am confident that the measures which I expect to be announced in the near future will assist in combatting illegal activity in the sector.
My Department has also been engaged with the local government sector to introduce a number of reforms as to how waste legislation is enforced in Ireland. A core objective in so doing is to bring a greater consistency of approach to the application of waste legislation and its enforcement at local, regional and national levels. To this end, my Department has recommended the establishment of a lead enforcement authority in each of the three waste management planning regions. Each of these new Lead Regional Waste Enforcement Authorities would have responsibility for co-ordinating waste enforcement actions within regions, setting priorities and common objectives, ensuring consistent enforcement of waste legislation across the three regions, while still leaving local authority personnel as first responders on the ground to address specific breaches of waste legislation. These proposals are currently being considered with a view to an enhanced system of waste enforcement being introduced later this year.
The establishment of these lead enforcement authorities will allow for co-ordinated, specific action on particular waste streams such as ELVs.
The enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
