Written Answers Nos. 1508-1526
1508. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the updated five year financial plan submitted to him by Sligo County Council; his views on the contents of that plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32074/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.
Sligo County Council’s financial position is of serious concern to me. While it is a matter for individual local authorities to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner, my Department is in regular consultation with the Council in relation to its financial position, including in relation to a long term financial plan to address these issues. My Department received a copy of a financial plan on 21 August 2015; engagement is on-going in relation to the contents of this plan and I expect my Department will issue a response to the Council shortly.
1510. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the EPA Air Quality Index is compiled in view of the fact that in some counties there are no monitoring sites but despite this air quality ratings are provided for these counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32107/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1511. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of mobile units deployed to monitor ambient air quality at any one time on average detailing the omissions they are capable of detecting and recording; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32108/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1510 and 1511 together.
Under the Clean Air for Europe Directive, also known as the CAFÉ Directive, for the purpose of assessing and managing air quality, EU member states must designate "Zones". The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the competent authority for the implementation of the Directive in Ireland designated four zones which were originally designated in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011. The zones were subsequently amended on 1 January 2013 to take account of population counts from the 2011 Census.
The main areas defined in each Irish zone are:
- Zone A: Dublin
- Zone B: Cork
- Zone C: Other cities and large towns including Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Drogheda, Dundalk, Bray, Navan, Ennis, Tralee, Kilkenny, Carlow, Naas, Sligo, Newbridge, Mullingar, Wexford, Letterkenny, Athlone, Celbridge, Clonmel, Balbriggan, Greystones, Leixlip and Portlaoise.
- Zone D: Rural Ireland, i.e. the remainder of the State excluding Zones A, B and C.
Upper and lower assessment thresholds are prescribed in the legislation for a number of pollutants. Within each zone, air quality is assessed and classified with respect to these thresholds, based on measurements over the previous five years. The results of this assessment help to inform decisions on the extent of monitoring. The greatest monitoring effort applies where concentrations are above the upper assessment threshold, i.e. where they approach or exceed the limit value. Where concentrations are between the two thresholds, less intensive measurement combined with other assessment methods, such as air quality modelling, will generally suffice. Monitoring sites are located in accordance with CAFÉ Directive requirements.
In relation to mobile monitoring, the EPA currently possesses three units. Two of these units are used for assessment and reporting purposes in accordance with the Directive. These are mainly used for assessing air quality in Zone C towns but on occasion have been used in other zones as required. The units usually monitor for a period of 1 – 2 years at any one location before being re-assigned to a new location. The stations are equipped with monitors for carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter.
The monitoring units have been recently used in a number of locations including Mullingar, Newbridge, Letterkenny and Shannon and are currently located in Portlaoise and Enniscorthy. The assessment reports for monitored locations, including near real-time air quality information, are available on the EPA website.
In addition to the two monitoring units referred to above, the EPA has recently acquired a third mobile monitoring unit for use in emergency air quality incidents.
1513. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the reduction in the annual grants to households in group water schemes; the estimated saving to Government in 2015; his plans to review the cut to such grants in light of the financial impact that this is having on families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32152/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Question is referring to the scheme under which subsidies are paid to Group Water Schemes towards their operational costs.
As part of the Government Decision on Irish Water financing taken on 6 May 2014, the Government agreed that the subsidisation of group water schemes be reviewed to ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies. This approach to ensuring households in the group water sector receive equivalent support, while allowing for any transitional issues, to sustain improvement in quality in the sector, was reiterated on 19 November 2014, following a review of the water charging regime undertaken by the Government, the outcome of which was the announcement of a revised charging system for Irish Water customers.
Following completion of the review of the subsidisation of group water schemes the following revised subsidies are operative with effect from 1 January 2015;
- Subsidy A towards the general operational and management costs of group schemes served from a public source is €40 (down from €70);
- Subsidy A towards the general operational and management costs of group schemes served from a private source is €95 (down from €140); and
- Subsidy B towards the operational and maintenance costs associated with “bona fide” Design Build Operate contracts for schemes which have their own water treatment facilities remains unchanged at €220.
The revised subsidies represent fair treatment between drinking water consumers in the public and group sectors having regard to the inherent differences in structure, funding and organisation between the sectors.
The annual savings from the introduction of the changes in subsidies are currently estimated to be in the region of €1.2 million. This amount is based on the number of houses for which Subsidy A was recouped to local authorities in 2014 qualifying for the full new subsidy amounts in 2015. However, this amount is likely to vary as some houses may not qualify, on the basis of incurred expenditure, for the full subsidy amount. In addition, the number of schemes applying for subsidy may vary from year to year. It is not possible at this stage, therefore, to indicate what the savings in 2015 will be.
To promote sustainable use of water and to enhance water conservation in households, the Department of Social Protection is administering, on behalf of my Department, a €100 water conservation grant for households (primary dwellings) that completed a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process by 30 June 2015. This grant also applies in the case of group water scheme households.
The Government remains committed to continuing to support the group water sector as an important element of the water industry in Ireland, founded on co-operative community and voluntary engagement, and to invest in the sector to sustain and improve quality standards and performance.
1514. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding referendums and the provision of a jury system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32157/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Constitution provides that referendums are held on proposals in Bills passed or deemed to have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. There are no plans to have the wording for referendums decided otherwise.
1515. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide figures for the level of supports provided by the Western Development Commission and Leader schemes to for profit businesses and non-profit organisations respectively. [32159/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are three economic measures under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013. The table below details the amounts paid to date under these measures.
In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development Local Action Groups (LAG) make all decisions in relation to the selection of projects under the Programme and accordingly all re cords are held at LAG level. My Department does not retain records as to whether the beneficiaries are for profit or non-profit organisations.
In relation to funding supports provided by the Western Development Commission, €39,285,682 has been provided to for profit businesses and €6,260,234 has been provided to non-profit organisations.
|
Measure |
Amount |
|
Diversification into non-Agricultural Activities |
€11.6m |
|
Business Creation and Development |
€40.1m |
|
Encouragement of Tourism Activities |
€42.1m |
|
Total |
€93.8m |
1516. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual cost to the State of fees paid to private for profit companies to provide services under the remit of his Department, either directly or through the local authorities, for example waste collection. [32160/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department purchases a considerable range of business-related goods and services from a large number of suppliers in any given year. As it is unclear what information is being sought in the Question, I am unable to provide a reply in this instance. If the Deputy provides additional clarification in regard to the matter raised in the Question, a further reply will be provided.
1517. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units which have been provided in the constituency of Dublin Bay North, since June 2014, and since March 2011. [32210/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics on its website and details of the social housing units provided in individual local authority areas for the period requested can be found on the ‘Social Housing Output’ tab in the ‘Social and Affordable Housing’ statistics table at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/.
General statistics on local authority housing stock are published annually by the Local Government Management Agency and are available at the following link:
http://www.lgma.ie/en/service-indicators-local-authorities-2013.
The information requested on a constituency basis is not available in my Department.
1518. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he has not introduced legislation to take urgent measures to implement a housing emergency programme for the tens of thousands of families and individuals on housing and homeless lists. [32212/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial housing, and in particular increasing supply to deal with pent-up demand, is a key priority for Government, as evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced in Budget 2015 and the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in November 2014. The Strategy is a comprehensive response to the need for social housing and targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme. This will address the needs of the households on the housing waiting list with flexibility to meet potential future demand.
Under the Strategy, on 1 April 2015, I announced provisional funding allocations totalling €1.5 billion for all local authorities, to meet an ambitious delivery target of 22,882 social housing units out to 2017. Details of the individual targets set for local authorities can be found on my Department's website at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm.
To date in 2015 some €493 million has been allocated, to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, for the construction and acquisition of over 2,900 units, full details of which can be found on my Department’s website at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm.
Furthermore, over €91 million worth of housing investment, across a range of housing schemes to bring vacant social housing units back into productive use and to improve housing for people with disabilities, as well as retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency, was also announced in May. Full details of the allocations made to local authorities are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/GeneralNews/MainBody,41581,en.htm.
Further announcements in relation to project approvals, in line with the Strategy targets, will be made in due course.
The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is also progressing at pace, with almost 4,000 households now in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme. HAP is now available to all qualified households in 13 local authority areas. Consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP in the coming months.
In relation to homelessness, a range of specific measures are being taken to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014).
Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
These Plans represent a whole-of-Government approach to dealing with homelessness and the implementation of measures identified in these plans is being overseen by a group of senior officials drawn from key State agencies concerned including my Department; the Departments of Social Protection; Health; and Children and Youth Affairs; the Health Service Executive; Tusla (the Child and Family Agency); the Irish Prison Service; and local authorities.
In addition to ensuring that appropriate emergency responses are put in place, it is of critical importance that steps are taken to prevent, as far as possible, families presenting as homeless in the first instance. In that regard, I am determined to achieve stability and sustainability in the private rental market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole. The regulation of rent raises many complex economic and legal issues and I have to be satisfied that any measures proposed are balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. Ultimately, any decision in relation to rent certainty is a matter for Government and it is my intention to bring proposals to Government for consideration as soon as the necessary preparatory work has been completed.
Finally, the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, was recently enacted and was commenced with effect from 1 September 2015. The Act revises Part V arrangements on social and affordable housing to maximise the opportunity for the delivery of social housing units and to secure the principle of integrated mixed tenure developments. Importantly, the practice of developers making cash payments in lieu of housing units is no longer an option under the new legislation.
1519. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department received any formal request for financial assistance from Sligo County Council in respect of road strengthening works costing €174,212, which the council incurred in preparing for the recent visit of members of the British royal family to Sligo; his plans to provide funding to Sligo County Council to cover any of the costs associated with the royal visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32237/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an enquiry from Sligo County Council but has not received a formal request for financial assistance in respect of costs associated with the recent visit of members of the British royal family. I have no plans to provide funding for such costs. Lead responsibility in relation to the visit rests with my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Lead responsibility in relation to roads matters rests with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
1520. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will implement all of the recommendations of the recent report on the mergers of Cork City and County Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32308/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1521. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he and his officials have discussed an implementation plan for the Cork City and County Council merger; if he will outline the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32309/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1522. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a cost-benefit analysis will be done on the proposal to merge Cork City and County Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32310/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1523. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the negative reaction from academic experts on the proposal to merge Cork City and County Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32311/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1524. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he and his Department agree that merging Cork City and County Councils will actually benefit its citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32312/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1525. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process he went through before he endorsed the report recommending the merger of Cork City and County Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32313/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1520 to 1525, inclusive, together.
I established the Cork Local Government Committee on 15 January 2015 to carry out an objective review of local government arrangements in Cork city and county, including the boundary of Cork city, and to make recommendations with respect to whether the boundary of the city should be altered or whether Cork City Council and Cork County Council should be unified. The Committee’s report was submitted to me on 2 September 2015.
Following receipt of the report, I had an opportunity to consider it and on 8 September 2015, I signalled my agreement with its main recommendation to establish a new unified Cork local authority. The report also contains a considerable amount of analysis and recommendations on related issues and arrangements, as well as a minority report proposing extension of the city boundary. However, there was agreement on some important matters, including the fact that retention of the status quo in Cork is not tenable and that there is need to define a substantial Cork metropolitan area. I have already indicated that I will give further consideration to all of the details in the report with a view to ma king a submission to Government on the approach to future local government arrangements for Cork.
1526. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of internal audit in his Department; internal audit's relationship with external auditors and audit committees as well as internal audit's adherence to professional standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32550/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has an Internal Audit function established by charter which was approved by the Accounting Officer and the Department’s Audit Committee. The Internal Audit Unit works under the direction of the Accounting Officer, to whom it has direct access, and the Audit Committee. The Unit is authorised by the Accounting Officer to carry out a comprehensive programme of internal audit in all areas of the Department. In the implementation of the audit programme, internal audit staff are authorised to have full, free and unrestricted access to all of the Department's records, assets and personnel.
The Unit liaises closely with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, which is the external auditor of the Department, and all internal audit reports are made available to it for review. The external auditor meets both the Head of Internal Audit Unit and the Audit Committee at least once annually.
The Audit Committee is part of the Department’s governance framework and is tasked with providing independent advice to the Accounting Officer regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of the Department’s systems of internal control, corporate governance and risk management. A key function of the Audit Committee is to oversee and monitor the work of the Internal Audit Unit and to approve its audit programme. The Committee advises the Accounting Officer on the operation and development of the resources of the internal audit function in the Department. The Internal Audit Unit meets with the Audit Committee at least 4 times per year and has full and free access to the Audit Committee as required.
The Internal Audit function is guided by the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Standards which the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform determined, in November 2012, should apply across all Departments and other Vote Holders.
