Written Answers Nos. 788 to 801
788. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of a common policy in relation to payment to local authority workers for overtime, and in particular for grade 5 and above, in local authorities throughout the State. [23594/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overtime rate payable for clerical/administrative grades in the local government sector is in accordance with Circulars 3/80, 1/89 and 17/97. Overtime is only payable for hours worked in excess of the normal working week and is calculated with reference to a working week of 38 hours regardless of the number of hours normally worked by employees. In the normal course of events prior authorisation must be obtained to work overtime and to be reimbursed for overtime.
Since 1 July 2013, the payable overtime rates have been adjusted in line with the measures set out in the Public Service Stability Agreement (Haddington Road Agreement) which provides for the following: for those on salaries of up to €35,000, overtime will be paid at time and a half at the first point of the appropriate scale; for those on salaries of €35,000 or greater, overtime will be paid at the rate of time and a quarter at the individual’s scale point.
789. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused, granted, partially granted, successful appeals, partly successful appeals and refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23607/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought in respect of Freedom of Information requests received by my Department is set out in the following table. It should be noted that, of the total number of FOI requests received by my Department, a portion get withdrawn by the requestor, a portion are dealt with outside of the FOI process and a portion are transferred to another FOI body in possession of the requested records. There are also a number of requests each year which lapse, due to inaction on the part of the requestor or due to the requestor withholding payment of required fees.
|
Year |
Total number of requests received |
Total Refused |
Total Granted |
Total Part-granted |
Total Appeals |
Total Successful / part-successful appeals |
Total Refusals |
|
2009 |
143 |
10 |
62 |
29 |
11 |
5 |
6 |
|
2010 |
156 |
21 |
54 |
41 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
|
2011 |
119 |
13 |
55 |
22 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
2012 |
191 |
32 |
60 |
45 |
11 |
2 |
9 |
|
2013 |
111 |
18 |
40 |
26 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
2014 |
180 |
32 |
49 |
42 |
7 |
1 |
6 |
|
2015 (To 11 June) |
162 |
38 |
43 |
28 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
1062 |
164 |
363 |
233 |
49 |
16 |
33 |
790. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding small businesses and road tax for heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23623/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, has established an Inter-Departmental Working Group to consider issues relating to the Irish haulage industry, which includes representation from my Department. The haulage industry is seeking a reduction in motor tax for the sector, a change in the basis of taxation from unladen to gross design vehicle weight and the introduction of road user charging. In relation to the latter two proposals, these are currently being considered and implementation, if recommended, would be for the medium to long-term. In relation to the first proposal, any changes to rates of motor tax are for consideration in the context of the budget. Motor tax is payable on a 3, 6 or twelve month basis. In respect of periods of non-use of a vehicle, the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 provides that, where a vehicle is not going to be used in a public place, the vehicle may be declared off the road during the last month of an extant tax disc or previously made declaration of non-use, for a period of between 3 and 12 months. The Act also provides that an owner can return the vehicle to the road early if circumstances, such as a pick-up in business, require it, by applying for a vehicle licence for the vehicle. The vehicle licence will commence from the month in which the application to tax the vehicle is made and the end date of the Declaration of Non- Use will be changed to the end of the month before the vehicle licence commences.
The Diesel Rebate Scheme is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
791. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [23638/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra793. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [23664/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 791 and 793 together.
The number and name of Bills initiated by my Department since September 2013 is set out in the following table. It is my intention to subject Bills prepared in my Department, which are in the Government’s legislative programme for the current session, to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas which was introduced late last year. The Climate Action Low Carbon Development Bill 2015, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2015 and the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 were all subject to such scrutiny.
|
No. of Bill |
Name of Bill |
Date of initiation of Bill |
|
98 of 2013 |
Local Government Bill 2013 |
15/10/2013 |
|
124 of 2013 |
European Parliament Elections (Amendment) 2013 Bill |
28/11/2013 |
|
123 of 2013 |
Water Services No. 2 Bill 2013 |
28/11/2013 |
|
128 of 2013 |
Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 |
10/12/2013 |
|
28 of 2014 |
Electoral (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2014 |
07/04/2014 |
|
39 of 2014 |
Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 |
07/05/ 20 14 |
|
52 of 2014 |
Radiological Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 |
05/06/2014 |
|
67 of 2014 |
Electoral (Amendment) (No.4) Bill 2014 |
02/07/2014 |
|
86 of 2014 |
Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 |
02/09/2014 |
|
106 of 2014 |
Water Services Bill 2014 |
28/11/2014 |
|
2 of 2015 |
Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015 |
15/01/2015 |
|
6 of 2015 |
Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Age of Eligibility for Election to the Office of President) Bill 2015 |
26/01/2015 |
|
45 of 2015 |
Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2015 |
14/05/2015 |
|
51 of 2015 |
Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 |
03/06/2015 |
792. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the limits on holding elected office; if there are grounds for concerns that those with a history of mental health difficulties may be discriminated against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23650/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRequirements in relation to the holding of elected office are set out in the Constitution and in electoral and local government law. Requirements relating to the office of the President are set out in the Constitution; requirements relating to membership of the Dáil are set out in Article 16 of the Constitution and in Part IX of the Electoral Act 1992; requirements relating to membership of the Seanad are set out in Article 18.2 of the Constitution; requirements relating to membership of the European Parliament are set out in section 11 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997; requirements relating to local authority membership are set out in the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999. While the Electoral Acts provide that a person of unsound mind is not eligible for election as a member, or for membership of the Dáil, the Seanad, or the European Parliament, I have no information to suggest that those with a history of mental health difficulties have been discriminated against in holding elected office.
794. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits in kind; if these processes have been revised, in view of the Revenue Commissioners concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23680/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure on staff subsistence and taxis for my Department in the past four years and to 12 June this year is set out in the following Table.
|
Year |
Subsistence |
Taxis |
|
2011 |
€ 571,079.88 |
€ 22,691.46 |
|
2012 |
€ 705,249.96 |
€ 31,821.59 |
|
2013 |
€ 742,134.20 |
€ 37,629.03 |
|
2014 |
€ 550,660.00 |
€ 19,383.82 |
|
2015 (to June 12th) |
€ 230,207.32 |
€ 9,751.47 |
It is my Department’s policy that only essential business travel is undertaken and that the number of staff absent on official business is kept to an absolute minimum.
It is also the policy that taxis should only be used where no suitable public transport is available. Staff are asked to ensure that where use is made of a taxi, business requirements make it demonstrably necessary to do so; for example because the number of officers travelling make it cheaper than other forms of public transport, and/or that other forms of public transport would be impractical. Additional travel associated with Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in 2013 and preparation for it in 2012 would account for increased subsistence and taxi expenditure in those years. Staff claiming the costs of taxi journeys must submit the relevant receipts with their travel and subsistence claims.
My Department was selected by Revenue on 4 June 2009 for an audit of VAT, PAYE, PRSI and RCT (Relevant Contracts Tax) covering the period 1 January 2008 to 31 May 2009. Revenue advised on 13 November 2009 that the audit was concluded and that no further liability arises. The Department has not been audited by Revenue since. Practices and procedures in respect of these areas will, if necessary, be amended in light of any further guidance received from the Revenue Commissioners in this regard.
795. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23696/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in the following table.
|
Year Commissioned |
Consultant/Author etc. |
Name/Description of Report/Review/Study |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Amount Spent Since March 2011 |
|
2011 |
Building Research Establishment Ltd |
Retrofitting Code of Practice. |
Published March 2014. |
(1) €21,190 |
|
2011 |
Pyrite Panel |
Report of the Pyrite Panel - Independent report to provide options for the Minister to deal with the pyrite problem. |
Published July 2012. |
€22,719 |
|
2011 |
Secretariat to the National Economic and Social Council of Ireland |
Analysis on national climate policy. |
Interim report released October 2012; final report released in February 2013. |
N il |
|
2011 |
Mr. David Lovegrove |
2011 Report of the Dormant Accounts Board. |
Published July 2012. |
€9,689 |
|
2011 |
Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of the Homeless Strategy 2008-2013. |
Published November 2012. |
€6,000 |
|
2011 |
Murtagh & Partners |
Review of Dublin Region Homelessne ss Services and Funding in 2011 . |
Published October 2011. |
€27,800 |
|
2011 |
Pembroke Communications |
Advise on, and assist tendering process for, Tidy Towns sponsorship. |
No formal report due for publication. |
€4,560 |
|
2011 |
Barrow Archaeological Services |
Archae o logical reports on Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,210 |
|
2011 |
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
EIS Screening Report for site at Valentia. |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€6,336 |
|
2011 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
Audit reports for ISO9001:2008 in 2011 and 2012. |
Not intended for publication. |
€6,699 |
|
2011 |
ARUP Consulting Engineers |
Study in respect of provision of fire detection and alarms systems in dwellings. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
€29,935 |
|
2011 |
Housing & Sustainable Communities Ltd. |
Toolkit for Local Authorities on regeneration. |
Not intended for publication. This was a report intended to provide assistance to Local Authorities in drawing up proposals for the regeneration of their areas. |
€12,300 |
|
2011 |
Indecon |
Regulatory Impact Analysis of proposed regulations for household food waste. |
Published June 2012. |
€24,725 |
|
2011 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2011 Report. |
Published April 2012. |
€61,077 |
|
2011 |
Certification Europe Ltd. |
Compost Quality Assurance Scheme. |
Published October 2012. |
€139,142 |
|
2011 |
RPS Group |
Provision of expertise concerning Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment techniques for the evaluation and revision of Regional Waste Management Plans. |
No formal document due for publication. The work comprises principally advice, guidance documents and technical expertise. |
€45,223 |
|
2011 |
SKM Enviros |
Irish Recycled Plastic Waste Arisings Study. |
Published September 2011. |
€37,566 |
|
2011 |
White Young Green |
Annual Dust Impact Assessment Report (2011) at the Former Irish Steelworks Site, Haulbowline, Cobh, Co. Cork. |
Published March 2012. |
(2) See footnote |
|
2011 |
Marine Institute |
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (1) Initial Assessment; (2) Development of a Monitoring Programme; and (3) Development of a Programme of Measures necessary to achieve Good Environmental Status in Irish Marine Waters. |
(1) I nitial Assessment - The technical report was published on the Department's website in Q2 2013 and the summary report was published in Q4 2013. (2) Monitoring Programme – sent to the EU Commission in April 2015. (3) Drawing up of programme of Measures to be completed Q1 2016 . |
(3) €2,163,747 |
|
2011 |
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
Independent assessment on establishment of National Water Utility. |
Irish Water - Phase 1 report and appendices published January 2012. Implementation Strategy published December 2012. |
€179,584 |
|
2012 |
AECOM |
Cost optiminal study for non-domestic buildings. |
Published March 2013. |
€53,517 |
|
2012 |
Mr. David Lovegrove |
2012 Report of the Dormant Accounts Board. |
Published March 2013. |
€1,120 |
|
2012 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. |
Published July 2013. |
€39,690 |
|
2012 |
Indecon |
Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. |
Published November 2012. |
(4) €42,706 |
|
2012 |
Version 1 |
Evaluation of ICT Disaster Recovery configuration and capability. |
Not intended for publication. |
€9,363 |
|
2012 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Analysis of Property Tax Options - a report to the Interdepartmental Expert Group on Property Tax. |
Published December 2012. |
€60,280 |
|
2012 |
Inter-Departmental Group |
Design of a Local Property Tax – Report of the Inter-Departmental Group. |
Published December 2012 . |
Nil |
|
2012 |
Flynn Furney Consultants Ltd. |
Environmental Management Services re: review of CEMP at Valentia Site (Method Statement). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€3,167 |
|
2012 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management Plan (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€4,920 |
|
2012 |
Munster Archaeology |
Report on archaeological investigation/survey of Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Preliminary report published February 2014. Final report expected shortly. |
€47,289 |
|
2012 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of leasing model. |
It is intended that the report will be published during 2015. |
€1,937 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Evaluation of the Planning Review Report 2012. |
Published January 2013. |
€12,096 |
|
2012 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Preparation of EIA Guidelines. |
Published March 2013. |
€7,200 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the management by the Department of an application by Wicklow County Council for loan approval in respect of the compulsory purchase of land at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 1. |
Published March 2012. |
€19,680 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the compulsory acquisition of land by Wicklow County Council at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 2. |
Published April 2013. |
€49,200 |
|
2012 |
Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) |
Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas report on how to support the economic development of rural Ireland. |
Published April 2014. |
(5) €19,049 |
|
2012 |
RPS Group |
All Island Used Tyre Survey. |
Published March 2013. |
(6) €17,673 |
|
2012 |
RPS Group |
Review of the Producer Responsibility Model in Ireland. |
Final report published in July 2014. |
€292,306 |
|
2012 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2012 Report. |
Published April 2013. |
€58,271 |
|
2012 |
Fehilly Timoney & Company |
Bulky Waste Reuse Best Practice - Feasibility Study. |
Published July 2013. |
€55,289 |
|
2013 |
Garrett Fennell Solicitor |
Independent Review of the registration arrangements for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007. |
Published on the Department's website. |
Nil (repor t produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC) |
Technical support on developing low carbon sector roadmaps for Ireland. |
The project relates to technical support, with no formal document due for publication. |
€107,552 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC) |
Technical support for the purposes of advising Government on the proposed 2030 EU Framework for Climate and Energy Policies. |
This report was published in June 2015 as part of the consultation on the National Mitigation Plan to transition Ireland to a low carbon economy by 2050. |
€67,768 |
|
2013 |
KW Research & Associates |
NTACC Research into why Travellers leave Traveller-specific accommodation. |
Published on the Department's website April 2014. |
€11,938 |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Business Process Design of the Housing Assistance Payment. |
Date of publication to be decided . |
€54,938 |
|
2013 |
Indecon |
Assessment of Potential Merits of New Initiative re Purchase of Local Authority Houses by Existing Tenants. |
Not intended for publication. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Userneeds |
Usage survey on the Met Éireann website. |
Not intended for publication - this was a report volunteered to Met Éireann by the survey company on a 'sample' basis. |
Ni l - provided as a 'free sample' |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of CALF assessment process. |
It is intended that the report will be published during 2015. |
€11,675 |
|
2013 |
AP Env Econ Limited/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Ireland’s Environmental Data: Inventory, Assessment and Next Steps. |
Published April 2014. |
€35,178 |
|
2013 |
SLR Environmental Consulting (Ireland) Ltd/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Wind Energy in Ireland: Building Community Engagement and Social Support. |
Published July 2014. |
€50,451 |
|
2013 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2013 Report. |
Published June 2014. |
€52,014 |
|
2013 |
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Article 29(2) Report on Progress on Implementation of the EC (Good Agriculture Practices for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. |
Published April 2014. |
Nil |
|
2013 |
RPS Group |
Public consultation process on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and producing a report. |
Published November 2013. |
€9,000 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Affordability aspects of the provision of water services in Ireland and subsequent analysis. |
Published in May 2014 as Appendix 2 and Appendix 5 of the "Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Affordability Measures". |
€57,655 |
|
2014 |
Ricardo-AEA |
NSMC Residential Solid Fuel Study . |
Expected to be published towards the end of 2015 . |
(7) €16,475 |
|
2014 |
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment - Netherlands (RIVM) |
Electromagnetic Fields in the Irish Context . |
Expected to be published in Q3 of 2015 . |
(8) See footnote |
|
2014 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Socio-Economic Impact of a nuclear accident in the UK . |
The intention is that the report will be published, but the specific date is not yet known. |
€79,950 |
|
2014 |
University College Cork (UCC)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Review of Environmental Social Policy Literature . |
Report is being considered by the NESC Council with publication expected to be later in 2015. |
€4,305 |
|
2014 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2014 Report. |
Expected to be published July 2015. |
€52,014 |
|
2014 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management follow up Report (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
The report is not intended to be published as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,599 |
|
2014 |
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) |
Peer review of Met É ireann's Operational and Strategic Review. |
This report is not intended for publication. |
€4,920 |
|
2014 |
MacCabe Durney Barnes |
Independent Planning Review. |
Expected to be published in mid-2015 . |
€94,521 |
|
2014 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Westmeath. |
Published May 2014. |
€5,000 |
|
2014 |
Patricia Thornton Tom Philips Associates |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Limerick. |
Published August 2014. |
€4,151 |
|
2014 |
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Environmental Policy Integration: Case Studies Research . |
Report is being considered by the NESC Council with publication expected to be later in 2015. |
€38,222 |
|
2014 |
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)/National Economic and Social Council (NESC) |
Sustainable Urban Development . |
Report is being considered by the NESC Council with publication expected to be later in 2015. |
€20,303 |
|
2015 |
AECOM |
Additional cost optimal calculations for domestic and non-domestic buildings. |
Not intended for formal publication. |
€33,683 |
|
2015 |
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
National Litter Pollution Monitoring System - 2015 Report. |
Expected to be published July 2016. |
€ 49,077 (estimate) |
|
2015 |
Dr. Dagmar Stengel |
Best practice in relation to the sustainable exploitation and management of intertidal seaweed resources. |
Not intended for publication. |
€ 14,391 (estimate) |
|
2015 |
ILC Sports and Recreation |
Review of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy . |
July 2015 . |
€ 14,500 (estimate) |
(1) The contract is in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Total cost of the study is €169,302 (inclusive of VAT). My Department's contribution is €21,190 (inclusive of VAT) with the balance being met by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (i.e. €148,112 inclusive of VAT).
(2) My Department previously provided funding to Cork County Council to support the production of an annual Dust Impact Assessment Report at the former Irish Steel site at Haulbowline Island. Following a Government Decision in June 2011, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine assumed the lead role in relation to the remedial works necessary to be undertaken on the site. Accordingly, funding provided to Cork County Council for the annual Dust Impact Assessment Report 2011 and subsequent years is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
(3) This report, monitoring programme and programme of measures arise from a broader process connected with Ireland’s obligation to implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The work primarily consists of a determination of the status of Ireland’s marine waters, the measures necessary to achieve, or maintain, the required Good Environmental Status by 2020 and a programme to monitor this. The preparation of a draft Initial Assessment (under Art. 8 of the MSFD) including proposals for Good Environmental Status (Art. 9) and for draft Environmental Targets (Art.10) is underpinned by a suite of monitoring measures to measure the maritime environment against these targets (Art. 11). Where human activities are preventing these targets from being met, a Programme of Measures will be drawn up to mitigate the effect of these activities, or halt them as appropriate (Art.13).
(4) This report was co-funded by my Department and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The cost to my Department of €42,706 represents 50% of the total cost.
(5) This report has been co-funded by my Department, Teagasc and the Western Development Commission. The cost to my Department of €19,049 represents 40% of the overall expenditure.
(6) Survey jointly commissioned and funded by Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland and my Department.
(7) This report has been commissioned by my Department under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The cost is being evenly split and the final charge to my Department is estimated at €40,000.
(8) The cost of this project , which is estimated at € 66,950, will be met by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
796. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the current provision of senior community alarms by local community groups, and any future plans in this regard in relation to proposals put forward by Pobal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23708/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra798. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the senior alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23757/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra799. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the community alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23758/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra800. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Senior Community Alarms Scheme and monitoring fees applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23778/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra801. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the tender for senior community alarms will result in a lowering of standards within the market (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23779/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 796 and 798 to 801, inclusive, together.
My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
My Department undertook to consider new approaches to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2014 and arising from this, it was decided that the scheme be managed by Pobal, given that organisation’s significant experience delivering programmes on behalf of Government.
Pobal’s management and administrative services for the Scheme included an invitation to tender for the supply and installation of personal monitored alarms, which was publicly advertised on eTenders on 20 October 2014. The tender process, which is being led by Pobal, is almost complete. Following on from this, a panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment within specific regional areas. The tender was broken down into 10 regional lots to ensure that SME’s were not disadvantaged due to excessively large lot sizes.
It should be noted that there are no legal mandatory standards required for the manufacture of personal alarms. Many of the existing units comply with the EU standard; newer manufacturers of equipment or the newer more innovative technologies may meet other quality standards e.g. ISO standard. Under the tender competition, those suppliers that meet the minimum requirement would score the minimum amount of marks available and suppliers that propose products over and above the minimum requirements would be awarded a higher score.
A monitoring services panel was also advertised via eTenders on 6 November 2014. This process will engage a panel of quality checked monitoring suppliers who will outline the costs they charge and the service they provide. This information will be provided to the community groups and individuals to ensure they can make the best choice in relation to their monitoring services supplier.
The use of this panel is voluntary; monitoring costs are not grant-aided and have always been the responsibility of the beneficiary. The older person will continue to be responsible for choosing the monitoring supplier of their choice and they are free to continue to use their current provider. Annual monitoring costs (generally between €60 - €80 per annum) are borne by the beneficiary. The contract for monitoring services is a matter between the beneficiary and the monitoring service provider; my Department has no role in the matter.
Under the current Scheme the maximum grant per beneficiary for equipment is as follows: monitored personal alarms (with pendant) - €250; additional pendant/Re-installation - €50. The transfer of the operation of the scheme to Pobal is scheduled for completion by end July 2015; the strategic policy direction of the Scheme will remain my Department’s responsibility. In the meantime, community and voluntary groups wishing to draw down grant support under the Seniors Alert Scheme should continue to apply to my Department in the usual way.
797. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received a request from Mayo County Council to sanction the appointment of new staff at the council; the details of the sanction sought; the positions advised to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23736/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2015, my Department has received 85 staff sanction requests from Mayo County Council. The status of these requests is set out in the following table.
|
Date of Staffing Request |
Title of Post(s) |
Number of Post(s) |
Type of Contract sought |
Outcome |
|
06/01/2015 |
Retained Fire Fighter |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
|
07/01/2015 |
Lifeguards (Beach) |
26 |
Contract |
Approved |
|
07/01/2015 |
Retained Station Officer |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
|
07/01/2015 |
Retained Fire Fighter |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
|
27/01/2015 |
Enterprise & Investment Unit Tourism Officer |
1 |
Acting |
Pending |
|
28/01/2015 |
Retained Fire Fighter |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
|
06/02/2015 |
General Services Supervisor |
1 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
19/02/2015 |
Assistant Safety Officer |
1 |
Contract |
Approved |
|
23/02/2015 |
Retained Fire Fighter |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
|
23/02/2015 |
Retained Sub Station Officer |
1 |
Permanent |
Approved |
|
03/03/2015 |
Graduate Recruits |
10 |
Contract |
Approved |
|
22/04/2015 |
Senior Resident Engineer |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
22/04/2015 |
Resident Engineer |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
22/04/2015 |
Site Technician |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
05/05/2015 |
Assistant Foreman |
2 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
05/05/2015 |
Manager |
1 |
Contract |
Approved |
|
12/05/2015 |
Financial Controller |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
19/05/2015 |
Fitter Mechanic |
1 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
19/05/2015 |
Staff Officer |
1 |
Acting |
Pending |
|
20/05/2015 |
General Services Supervisor |
1 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
Fire Fighter |
1 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
Station Officer |
1 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
Executive Engineer (N25) |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
Assistant Engineer (N25) |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
Assistant Engineer (N25) |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
Technician Grade II |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
IS Analyst Developer |
1 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
26/05/2015 |
IS Database Administrator/Developer |
1 |
Permanent |
Pending |
|
IRISH WATER POSTS |
||||
|
14/01/2015 |
Senior Engineer - Irish Water |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
14/01/2015 |
Senior Executive Engineer - Irish Water |
3 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
14/01/2015 |
Assistant Engineer - Irish Water |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
14/01/2015 |
Administrative Officer - Irish Water |
2 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
14/01/2015 |
Staff Officer - Irish Water |
3 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
14/01/2015 |
Grade 3 Waterworks Caretaker - Irish Water |
3 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
14/01/2015 |
Grade 5 Waterworks Caretaker - Irish Water |
1 |
Contract |
Approved |
|
14/01/2015 |
General Services Supervisor - Irish Water |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
17/04/2015 |
Executive Scientist - Irish Water |
2 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
17/04/2015 |
Assistant Safety Officer - Irish Water |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
17/04/2015 |
Technician Grade 1 - Irish Water |
1 |
Contract |
Approved |
|
17/04/2015 |
Waterworks Caretaker - Irish Water |
1 |
Acting |
Approved |
|
19/05/2015 |
Waterworks Caretaker - Irish Water |
1 |
Contract |
Pending |
