Thursday, 9 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos. 76 - 85

School Funding

Ceisteanna (76)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

76. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15268/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that my Department approved funding for window works to the school referred to under the Summer Works Scheme (2014/2015). The school subsequently reverted to my Department seeking additional funding for a revised scope of works. This application is currently being assessed by my Department to confirm whether the project needs to be retendered. A decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been finalised.

Teachers' Remuneration

Ceisteanna (77)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

77. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the salaries of newly qualified primary school teachers; the plans he has in place to review this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15295/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Government has committed to establishing a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the Public Service, including entry pay levels. The terms of reference and timescale for the Commission's work are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Government recognises the importance of being able to attract quality new entrants to the Public Service, particularly so in important professional areas like education.

The restrictions in entry pay levels were introduced in 2011 and 2012 across the public service at a time when the pressure in public finances was severe and the scope for new recruitment was very restricted. Under the Lansdowne Road Agreement the process of restoring public pay is commencing. An important feature of this is the flat rate increase which is being implemented. This is proportionately more valuable to those early in their careers. Restoration of the supervision and substitution payment is provided for subject to co-operation with the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Lansdowne Road Agreement did not address the issue of pay of new entrants. My Department continues to seek to engage with teacher unions on issues of mutual concern and has recently reached agreement with INTO and TUI in respect of: discussions to improve the position of teachers on fixed-term and part-time teaching; a robust review of in-school management structures; an increase in the quantum of the extra Croke Park hours which do not have to be worked on a "whole school" basis.

The Government has also indicated that it will support the gradual negotiated repeal of FEMPI measures having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.

Tax Code

Ceisteanna (78)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

78. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost and benefit of the equalisation of road tax, North and South. [15119/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The costs and benefits of equalising motor tax rates with the rates that apply in Northern Ireland have not been analysed in my Department.

There are currently no proposals for any such alignment.

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Ceisteanna (79)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

79. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of increasing funding under the housing adaptation grant scheme by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15076/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The funding allocation of €56.25m in 2016 for the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme represents an increase of some 10% in funding provided in 2015 under this Scheme and comprises €45m Exchequer funding and €11.25m from local authority resources.

Accordingly, increasing funding under this grant scheme by 50% would cost an additional €22.5 m to the Exchequer, with a further €5.625m to be contributed by the local authorities.

I am conscious of the social benefit accruing from this Scheme in terms of facilitating the continued independent living by older people and people with a disability in their own homes. In line with the Programme for a Partnership Government, further consideration will be given to increasing this funding over the coming years.

Farm Waste Disposal

Ceisteanna (80)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

80. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation and statutory instruments governing the process of local authority licensing renewals for industrial and agricultural waste collectors; if he will address concerns at a loophole in the regulation of such waste collection operators whereby companies can continue to operate under an expired licence during the licence renewals process which can continue for an indefinite duration. [15086/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The review of a waste collection permit is subject to a statutory process , as set out in section 34A of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, and the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended. It is open to a local authority to initiate the review of a waste collection permit at any time. The review may result in a permit being amended; the permit holder being directed to take measures within a specified timeframe, including being asked to submit an application for a permit; the review being terminated without the permit being amended; or in certain circumstances, the permit being revoked. An operator may continue to collect waste during the review of a permit as a determination has yet to be made. A person whose permit has been revoked has the right to appeal that decision to the District Court within 28 days of being notified of the decision to revoke the permit.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (81)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

81. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he provides social community funds to assist the resource centre (details supplied) that is in urgent need of funding to maintain its building. [15093/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department provides funding to communities through a range of programmes and schemes, including, for example, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.

The question of whether the particular purpose for which funding is sought would qualify under SICAP would be a matter for the programme implementing body for the area concerned to consider in the first instance.

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (82)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

82. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the Bills he will re-initiate relevant to his Department from the previous Dáil Éireann; the Bills he will introduce in the coming sessions; when he will introduce each Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15198/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The information sought in the question is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Foreshore Issues

Ceisteanna (83)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

83. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15209/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department has received a request from Stafford Holdings Limited/Lisbron Limited to assign a lease dated 15 March 1978 between the Minister for Tourism and Transport and Ross Company Limited in respect of foreshore lands at Raheen, New Ross, Co. Kilkenny to New Ross Boat Yard Limited.

The application is currently being assessed by my Department and a determination on this matter will be made as soon as all the issues in connection with the proposed assignment have been examined.

Mortgage Data

Ceisteanna (84)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

84. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the home choice loan scheme; if it is operational all over the country; the levels of loans which have been allocated in the past three years; his plans to review the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15255/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Home Choice Loan (HCL) is a mortgage for first time buyers that was introduced in 2009 and is provided by local authorities.

The terms and conditions of this loan are set out in the specific regulations – the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009 – a copy of which is available at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/si/544/made/en/print. The loan is available to first time buyers who can prove that they have been refused a loan from 2 financial institutions. It provides up to 92% of the market value of a property purchased up to a maximum loan amount of €285,000.  The loan is a normal capital and interest bearing mortgage. It is offered at a single, competitive variable interest rate. The rate is currently set at 3.50% . Further details in relation to the Home Choice Loan can be found at http://www.homechoiceloan.ie/.

The loans are made and administered by four lead local authorities - Dublin City Council, Cork City Council, Kilkenny County Council and Galway County Council - that operate on behalf of all other local authorities . To support local authorities in operating the HCL in a consistent and efficient manner, the Housing Agency provides a central underwriting service to local authorities. This shared central service processes loan applications, carries out credit checks and issues a recommendation to the local authority on each loan application in accordance with the credit policy. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the statutory Credit Policy that underpins the scheme. There may be a variety of reasons why an applicant is not successful in securing mortgage approval under the scheme, including not meeting the income requirements or a lack of a credible saving record.

Since the Home Choice Loan scheme commenced in 2009, 21 Home Choice Loans have been issued with a total value of €3,931,755. Information on loans issued over the last three years is set out in the following table.

I will continue to keep the operation of the HCL under review.

Year	No. of Home Choice Loans issued	€m
2013	1	0.276
2014	2	0.318
2015	0	0
Total	3	0.594

Drainage Schemes

Ceisteanna (85, 86, 87)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

85. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have assessed the risk of bacteria, parasites, invasive alien species and disease spreading across the country as a result of the proposed wide gauge drain carrying water the 172 km from Parteen on the River Shannon to Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15270/16]

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

86. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the proposed wide gauge drain carrying water 172 km from Parteen to Dublin city will facilitate chemicals and pesticides flowing from farm to farm and the studies his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have done on the impact on organic and similar farming and on the risk of flooding from wet land to dry land through this wide gauge drain; the entity that will compensate farmers if these events occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15271/16]

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

87. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the entity that will financially indemnify farmers who have land through which the 172 km drain from Parteen to Dublin city will pass to cover losses that they incur as a result of flooding, disease and so on, and particularly the inability of a farm that is linked to the drain to be classified as organic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15272/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 87, inclusive, together.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to [e-mail] or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.