Written Answers Nos. 1034 - 1052
1034. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will release the funding for necessary adaptation works for local authority housing without further delay. [21444/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding allocations for 2015 in respect of adaptation works to local authority housing have been made and are set out on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/GeneralNews/MainBody,41581,en.html .
1035. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his current powers and obligations in respect of protected structures of architectural heritage within the ownership of Monaghan County Council (details supplied), in view of the fact that his Department is the parenting Department of Monaghan County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21453/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1048. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is jointly or severally liable if a local authority is found to have breached the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21596/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1049. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the enforcement powers he has to ensure that local authorities comply with their obligations under the planning Acts in protecting and restoring buildings listed as protected structures which are owned by the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21598/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1035, 1048 and 1049 together.
As I have indicated in previous replies on this matter, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. This restriction applies to any particular case with which a planning authority might be dealing in exercising its functions under the Planning Acts.
I have therefore no power to direct Monaghan County Council in this matter.
1036. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under what wind guidelines will a planning application (details supplied) be adjudicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21466/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setbacks and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- The setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- A mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- The complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until February 21 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process. It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. In this regard, account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines.
The revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
In the interim, the 2006 Guidelines will continue to apply to existing planning applications which are with either the local planning authorities or with An Bord Pleanála for determination. The issue of the application of the proposed revisions to the Guidelines to existing planning applications is being examined and will be finalised in the context of the new Guidelines.
1037. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the proposed transatlantic trade and investment partnership trade agreement could lead to a significant weakening of environmental protection regulations; if he has expressed such concerns to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21483/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe negotiating mandate for the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement is set out in the directives for the negotiations which were adopted by the Council of the European Union (Foreign Affairs Council – Trade) on 14 June 2013.
The EU mandate is clear on the importance of a commitment of the Parties to sustainable development and the contribution of international trade to sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions, including economic development, full and productive employment and decent work for all, as well as the protection and preservation of the environment and natural resources.
The mandate addresses the need to recognise that sustainable development is an overarching objective of the Parties and that the Parties will aim at ensuring and facilitating respect for international environmental and labour agreements and standards while promoting high levels of protection for the environment, labour and consumers, consistent with the EU acquis and Member States’ legislation. The mandate states that the Agreement should recognise that the Parties will not encourage trade or foreign direct investment by lowering domestic environmental, labour or occupational health and safety legislation and standards, or by relaxing core labour standards or policies and legislation aimed at protecting and promoting cultural diversity.
Having regard to the EU mandate and the negotiations thus far, I am satisfied that the proposed Agreement will not lead to any weakening of environmental protection regulation in Ireland. My Department is fully involved in the interdepartmental arrangements on the TTIP negotiations.
1038. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the new tenant purchase scheme for local authority tenants will be introduced. [21489/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1066. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the most recent tenant purchase scheme was open for applications; when he expects a new tenant purchase scheme will become operational; how the discount on the market value of the property will be calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22032/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1038 and 1066 together.
The 1995 Tenant Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses and the 2011 Fixed-Term Tenant Purchase Scheme for long-standing tenants closed in June 2014 and June 2013, respectively. There are incremental purchase schemes currently in operation for the sale of newly-built local authority houses and existing local authority apartments, which came into operation in June 2010 and January 2012, respectively.
Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for its introduction, in the second quarter of 2015, which will set out the full details of the new scheme. It is expected that the new scheme will commence at the earliest possible date following the making of the Regulations, which are at an advanced stage of drafting.
The scheme will operate along the lines of the incremental purchase model currently operating for local authority apartments and certain new local authority houses, which involve discounts for purchasers linked to household income. The discount will be applied to the purchase price of the house to be determined by the local authority in accordance with the method to be prescribed in Regulations. I intend to relate the purchase price of the house to its market value with replacement costs also being taken into account.
Full details of the scheme, including the income related discounts available to tenant purchasers, will be set out in Regulations that I will make in advance of its introduction.
1039. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will seek additional funding to address concerns regarding Leader (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Ireland is reconfiguring the way in which local and rural development interventions are implemented. This is in line with Government policy to ensure that local government is well positioned to support the effective and efficient delivery of local and rural development. In this context, €220 million of the overall programme complement for the 2014-2020 period has been allocated based on administrative or county boundaries to 28 sub-regional areas.
A further €10 million has been allocated to the cooperation element of the programme. €15 million has been allocated for the delivery of two agri-food schemes which will be managed jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and my Department. In addition, €5 million is being held in reserve for the purposes of supporting the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) initiative, pending the successful outcome of a Pilot scheme as identified in the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA).
In determining the county allocations, three objective criteria were used, namely, minimum allocation, population density and a Resource Allocation Model (RAM). Each county was given a minimum allocation of €3 million to ensure that each received a viable allocation. However, Cork County was allocated €6 million as a minimum in order to ensure a viable allocation to each of the three administrative districts within the county, as the overall population outside of the city is almost twice that of any other county. It should be noted that the methodology used to calculate the allocations was designed to ensure that the available funding was weighted towards the most rural populations and those experiencing most rural disadvantage.
Using this methodology, which I am satisfied is fair and consistent, each county, including those counties referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied, was allocated a proportionate share of the funding available through the Leader elements of the programme.
1040. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the costs involved in renovating the former Debtors' Prison, Green Street, Dublin 7, into a refuge for victims of domestic violence in view of the current huge shortage of places for victims. [21499/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1041. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the costs involved in renovating 91A Lower George St, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, into a refuge for victims of domestic violence in view of the current huge shortage of places for victims. [21500/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1040 and 1041 together.
Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic abuse rests with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and are delivered through Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme, support may be provided, through housing authorities, towards Approved Housing Bodies costs in providing accommodation for persons with specific categories of housing need. It is a matter for individual authorities to prioritise the housing projects to be advanced under the Capital Assistance Scheme. No proposals have been submitted to my Department in respect of the properties mentioned in the Questions.
1042. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cé na bearta atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun an pobal a chur ar an eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ón Roinn agus ó na heagraíochtaí atá faoi choimirce na Roinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [21521/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá rún daingean ag an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil seirbhísí ardchaighdeáin a sholáthar i nGaeilge agus/nó sa dá theanga dá custaiméirí – i 2013, forbraíodh tríú Scéim Ghaeilge na Roinne, faoi Alt 15 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus dearbhaithe ag an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Leagan an Sceim Ghaeilge amach na gníomhartha atá á cur í gcrích sa Roinn chun usáid na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn agus tá sé mar aidhm leanúint de sheachadadh na rún daingean atá sa Scéim agus chun go gcuirfear leis an dul chun cinn a rinneadh i gcaitheamh thréimhse na Scéime a tháinig roimh ré. Coinníonn an Scéim Ghaeilge le prionsabail na Seirbhíse Ardchaighdeáin do Chustaiméirí na Roinne agus cinníonn sí go fóill leis an cinntítear go n-éascófar le daoine ar mian leo a ngnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge.
Tá Scéim Ghaeilge na Roinne ar fáil, i leagan Gaeilge agus leagan Béarla, ar shuíomh idirlín mo Roinne anseo:
http://www.environ.ie/ga/Foilsiuchain/SeirbhisiCorparaideacha/SeirbhisdoChustaimeiri/FileDownLoad,33833,ga.pdf.
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/CorporateServices/CustomerServices/FileDownLoad,20706,en.pdf .
Maidir le heagraíochtaí a bheith i gcomlíonadh le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, is ábhar é sin don eagraíocht mar chomhlacht poiblí faoin Acht.
1043. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that funding of a national development officer position for MOVE (Men Overcoming Violence) Ireland is protected on a long-term basis after August 2015; the plans for this position in the long-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21540/15]
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. A number of previously funded organisations were not approved for funding on that occasion.
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.
On 25 May 2015, I announced that funding will be provided from 1 July this year to 30 June 2016 to a number of health, disability and other organisations, including MOVE Ireland, following a review in relation to the impact of the cessation of their current funding on 30 June 2015.
Funding of €1.32 million is being made available for this 12 month period to organisations, currently funded under a bridging scheme which was put in place to support the majority of organisations who were unsuccessful in their applications under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) but had received funding previously from it up to 30 June 2014 and submitted a valid application in 2014. This further support will be based on current levels of funding to the organisations in question and is being provided through a Developmental Scheme to Support National Organisations. The funding to be provided to each organisation is set out in the table as follows.
It is envisaged that the new Scheme to Support National Organisations will be advertised in early 2016 and all groups will be required to apply for funding under the Scheme and meet the criteria required for funding.
|
Funding allocated under Developmental Scheme to Support National Organisations 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 |
|
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
1044. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an explanation as to the reason a polling station (details supplied) in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown constituency has no wheelchair access; and if he will rectify this situation before persons go to the polls again. [21544/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder electoral law, returning officers are responsible for all matters in relation to the conduct of elections, including the provision of polling stations. The Electoral Act 1992 provides that local authorities, in making polling schemes, shall endeavour to appoint polling places where at least one polling station is accessible to wheelchair users and requires that the returning officer shall, where practicable, provide polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users. The returning officer must also, where practicable, give public notice of all polling stations which are inaccessible to wheelchair users, not later than eight days before polling day. If an elector considers that he or she might have difficulty gaining access to a polling station, he or she may apply in writing to the returning officer for authorisation to vote at another polling station in the same constituency or local electoral area.
If a person has a physical illness or physical disability which prevents him or her from going to the polling station, the person can vote by post if he or she applies to be included in the postal voters list which is drawn up each year as part of the register of electors. In order to be entered on the postal voters list, the person must apply to the appropriate local authority by 25 November each year. After that date, an application for inclusion in the supplement to the postal voters list may be made.
1045. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total local government funding from central funds to Tipperary County Council for 2015; and if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff employed in each grade by Tipperary County Council in 2015. [21570/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Question refers to the Local Property Tax allocation from the Local Government Fund.
Tipperary County Council has been allocated €23,320,110 for 2015. My Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The data gathered do not provide detail in respect of grades within each local authority. 1,015.43 people, on a whole time equivalent basis, were employed by Tipperary County Council at the end of March 2015.
1046. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in each grade employed by North Tipperary County Council in each of the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; and if he will include in that table the corresponding figures for South Tipperary County Council over the same period. [21583/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The data gathered does not provide detail in respect of grades within each local authority, and accordingly, the information requested is not available in my Department.
1047. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the total local government funding from central funds to North Tipperary County Council for each of the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; and if he will include in that table the corresponding figures for South Tipperary County Council over the same period. [21584/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Question refers to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants were a contribution from my Department towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers.
The amount paid to local authorities from the Local Government Fund for general purpose grants in 2014 recognised the removal of water related costs from local authorities to Irish Water in that year and are therefore not comparable to previous years.
The following table sets out the details of the payments. These are “county at large” payments in respect of the County Council and any Town Councils within the county.
|
South Tipperary County Council |
North Tipperary County Council |
Total |
|
|
2011 |
23,583,556.76 |
17,514,750.11 |
41,098,306.87 |
|
2012 |
21,409,521.50 |
16,006,039.66 |
37,415,561.16 |
|
2013 |
21,487,760.00 |
16,483,412.00 |
37,971,172.00 |
|
2014 |
12,923,064.00 |
9,832,046.00 |
22,755,110.00 |
1050. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all the data sources used by Irish Water to set up its household database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21607/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 26 of the Water Services Act 2013 provided powers to Ervia and Irish Water to request information from a number of parties to enable it to perform its functions. Within this context, the collection of data to enable Irish Water to carry out its functions is a matter for the utility and one in which I have no function. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578.
1051. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government based on his previous response, and in view of the last time the Irish Veterinary Association was consulted regarding the restricting of dog breeds (Control of Dogs Act 1998 Regulations) being 23 years ago, if he will consider seeking the association's advice to ensure current restrictions are effective, up-to-date and in keeping with current scientific evidence, in protecting society from dogs which can inflict very serious injury, or cause death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21609/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 542, 543 and 559 of 6 May 2015 and 977 of 26 May 2015 which sets out the position in relation to the onus on dog owners and those in control of dogs to act responsibly by keeping their dogs under effectual control, irrespective of breed, and in relation to a review of the relevant legislation. I am satisfied that the restrictions under the current legislative framework provide the necessary controls for the protection of society.
1052. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a house is uninhabitable and the owner is under 66 years of age, the schemes or grants that are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21610/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, grants are available to assist households to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. Three separate schemes are available as follows:
- The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, which assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Grants for up to €30,000 are available for works including the provision of access ramps, stair lifts, accessible toilet and shower facilities, wheelchair access and extensions.
- The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is available to fast track grants of up to €6,000 to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works.
- The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating, cleaning, painting etc. While the age limit for eligibility for this scheme is 66 years, a lower age limit can apply at the discretion of the local authority in certain cases.
The detailed administration of these schemes, including the apportionment of funding between the various grant measures and the assessment, approval and payment of grants to individual applicants under the various grant measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
