Written Answers Nos. 188-195
188. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review regulations regarding the operation of the land aggregation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15044/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Aggregation Scheme was introduced in 2010 as part of revised arrangements for the funding of land for social housing purposes. The primary purpose of the Scheme was to assist in the gradual unwinding of loans taken out by housing authorities to purchase land for the social and affordable housing investment programme. Applications to the value of some €163 million in loans were accepted into the Land Aggregation Scheme.
Local Authorities were notified of the discontinuance of the Land Aggregation Scheme, with respect to new applications, in 2013. The focus of the Scheme has now shifted to the management and utilisation of the lands included in the Scheme. The Housing Agency has been tasked with developing an extensive Land Management Strategy under which land transferred to the Agency under the Land Aggregation Scheme will be considered. The development of this strategy is being progressed in the context of the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
The Housing Agency, in consultation with my Department and local authorities, is updating data and developing a more extensive and detailed database and GIS map of all local authority owned lands, as well as the Land Aggregation Scheme lands showing their location, size, boundaries and other information. This map will be up-dated over the course of the Strategy to record the development and use of lands.
Accordingly, both lands that have been transferred to the Housing Agency and other local authority held lands suitable for housing development will be among the first sites considered in order to support the implementation of the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
189. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15046/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provided for a range of matters consequent upon the transfer of functions in relation to public water services from local authorities to Irish Water. This includes the mechanisms for the transfer of assets and liabilities from local authorities to Irish Water. In particular, Section 12(8) provides for the transfer of development levies received by local authorities for the purpose of investment in water services to be transferred to Irish Water and provides that such levies can only be expended by Irish Water in the functional area of the local authority concerned.
On 30 March 2015, I signed an order under section 12 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 providing for the transfer from the local authorities to Irish Water of moneys received or due to be received, in accordance with section 48 or 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
While this gives legal power for the transfer of the resources, the financial transaction which subsequently arises is dependent on the completion of work which has been underway for some time between Irish Water and the local authorities in relation to the identification and quantification of water-related financial assets, liabilities and debtors which will result in a net amount to be reflected in a balancing statement resulting in payments to be made by Irish Water to local authorities or vice versa. The work involved is now at an advanced stage and I anticipate that it will be completed shortly. This work is focussed on identification of the liabilities with precision and accuracy, but as it has evolved it has been possible to estimate the likely aggregate liability for the purpose of the financial planning by Irish Water and the submission of forecast expenditure and liabilities to the Commission for Energy Regulation.
190. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 501 of 25 November 2014, if he will place the relevant report on the record of Dáil Éireann, in view of the fact that An Garda Síochána has decided not to pursue any issue within it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15097/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not my intention to make the internal investigation report relating to an independent Local Development Company available at this time, having regard in particular to the fact that the report references information given in confidence.
191. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take with regard to home owners and tenants who do not pay their water charges bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15098/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
In November 2014 I announced a package of measures to ensure that domestic water charges are certain, affordable and clear. If a customer does not pay their water charges, late payment provisions shall automatically apply, unless the customer enters into a payment plan. In the case of a One Adult Household (capped at €160), €30 will be added to any bill where outstanding payments equate to the total annual payment and remain unpaid for 3 months or more. An additional €30 will be added on every anniversary of the original add on date while the bill remains unpaid or a payment plan has not been entered into with Irish Water. In the case of a Two Adult Household (capped at €260), €60 will be added and again at each anniversary.
The late payment charges will only apply where someone is in arrears for more than 12 months and has not entered into a payment plan with Irish Water. Payment plans will be developed based on an ability to pay and it is important to note that the late payment charges are focused on those who “will not pay”, rather than those who cannot pay.
A range of flexible payment options will be available. Irish Water will facilitate bill payment through direct debit, electronic funds transfer, payment by cash at any retail outlet with a Paypoint or Payzone sign, or a post office where a bill can be paid in full or part payments of a minimum of €5 can be made. The overall net cost for those who register is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others. Water supply will not be reduced under any circumstance.
Any customers who have unpaid water charges can be pursued through the Courts by Irish Water for the sums due and a debt judgment may be obtained against the customer.
The Government intends to bring forward legislation to enhance the collectability of domestic water charges, building on the approach set out in the Water Services Act 2014. Further details on the modalities involved will be available on publication of the draft legislation following Government approval.
192. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish the planning consultancy report into planning functions in six local authorities; the action that will be taken on the report; the cost of the report to date; if he will commit to a debate in Dáil Éireann on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15100/15]
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. The review is expected to cost just under €95,000 including VAT @ 23%. 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.
193. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for an investigation into planning irregularities in County Donegal, arising from the June 2013 High Court case and subsequent Attorney General advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15101/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have considered what next steps need to be taken in respect of certain Donegal County Council planning matters taking account of advice from the Office of the Attorney General. My Department will be shortly appointing a Senior Counsel nominated by the Attorney General to prepare a report in relation to these matters and I expect that the timeframe for this appointment will be finalised shortly.
194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the result of correspondence and discussions he had with the Minister for the Environment for Northern Ireland following the dumping of sludge, a by-product of diesel laundering, in the Louth-Monaghan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15108/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined in the reply to Question No. 260 of 5 March 2015, I have written to my counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive, Minister Mark Durkan, to highlight again the problems being faced by border counties exposed to the consequences of environmental crime. Minister Durkan shares my abhorrence of the criminality which underpins this problem and the reckless and dangerous practice which endangers both human health and the environment and poses a particular threat to our watercourses. I will be raising this matter again with Minister Durkan at the forthcoming North South Ministerial Council meeting on the 13 May 2015.
195. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the engagement he has had with Bord na Móna regarding the wage cuts being imposed on seasonal workers by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14978/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na Móna is facing significant business challenges in the context of the deregulation of the electricity market and increasingly competitive and challenging environments across all its business areas. In order to ensure its continued success, the Company is implementing a programme to transform all areas of its operations and structure, the key objective of which is to improve business effectiveness and efficiency.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. However, I have raised the matter with Bord na Móna and have been advised that management and Union representatives are currently involved in discussions under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission on a range of issues relating to business transformation in the company. These discussions include areas related to the terms and conditions of employees, including seasonal workers. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter while these discussions are in progress.
