Written Answers Nos. 634-652
634. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the requirements that are imposed on hotels and other accommodation providers in relation to the installation and upkeep of carbon monoxide alarms on their premises; if there is a requirement for such an alarm to be provided in each bedroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49206/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations (Part J Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 133 of 2014) and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document J – Heat Producing Appliances (2014), which came into effect on 1 September 2014, include requirements in relation to the detection and warning of carbon monoxide in new dwellings, and in existing dwellings where the replacement of certain heat producing appliances is proposed. These requirements are in line with best practice in other countries and Ireland is one of the first countries to have such a broad requirement for carbon monoxide alarms.
The requirements under Part J provide for the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in:
- new dwellings where open flue or flueless combustion appliances are being installed,
- existing dwellings where replacement open flue or flueless combustion appliances are being installed,
- habitable rooms where a system chimney attached to a heat producing appliance passes within or over such rooms.
While these regulations will give added protection to new dwelling owners, and to the owners of existing dwellings when heat producing appliances are being replaced, it is important to note that the key actions required to prevent carbon monoxide incidences are and continue to be:
(1) the proper installation and commissioning of heat producing appliances and flues/chimneys,
(2) proper air supply is maintained to combustion devices, and
(3) the proper maintenance and inspection of combustion appliances on a regular basis.
In this regard, an analysis of the incidents that have occurred in the UK [Part J 2014 RIA] indicate that the predominant area for carbon monoxide fatalities is in dwellings. This analysis would appear to suggest that non-domestic buildings would not be considered a high risk category having regard to the number of carbon monoxide incidences involved. Accordingly, the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in buildings other than dwellings is not required under the Building Regulations, either here or in the UK.
From the evidence of carbon monoxide incidents in the UK and abroad, the majority appear to occur with solid fuel and gas appliances, and the least with oil fuelled appliances. Open flue or flueless appliances, because they take the combustion air from a room, have a potentially greater risk than a balanced flue scenario.
In addition, Part L of the Building Regulations, which deals with the conservation of fuel and energy, has required all new and replacement boilers in dwellings to have an efficiency of 90% since 1 December 2011. This promotes the installation of room sealed boilers, which have a lower risk of the escape of carbon monoxide due to balanced flues.
635. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the support available under the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 to fund a defence for a named party in a judicial review in relation to section 261A of the Planning and Development Act 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49268/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no provision in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 to fund a party's legal costs in a judicial review. However, Part 2 of the Act makes an exception to the general rule that costs follow the event, by providing in section 3 that, in general and regardless of the outcome of proceedings, all parties must pay their own costs in civil proceedings to which section 4 of the Act applies.
Section 3 also provides that the Court may determine that the costs of a successful applicant in such proceedings must be borne by one or more than one other party to the case in particular circumstances. It is also provided that the Court may award costs against a party in such proceedings in specified circumstances. Furthermore, section 3(4) provides that, notwithstanding these provisions, the Court may award costs in favour of a party in a matter of exceptional public importance and where, in the special circumstances of the case, it is in the interests of justice to do so.
Section 4(1) of the 2011 Act applies section 3 to civil proceedings - other than proceedings specified in section 4(3) - instituted by a person in respect of a failure to comply with, or enforce, a statutory requirement or condition or other requirement attached to a consent specified in subsection (4), where such failure is the cause of, or is likely to cause, damage to the environment. One of the consents specified in section 4(4) is a permission or approval granted pursuant to the Planning and Development Act 2000.
Under section 7 of the 2011 Act, a party to proceedings specified in section 4(4) may, at any time before or during the proceedings, apply to the Court for a determination that the cost rules in section 3 apply to those proceedings. The enactment also provides that, before the commencement of such proceedings or at any other time, the parties may agree that the cost rules in section 3 apply to those proceedings.
Section 50B of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, applies the cost rules in section 3 of the 2011 Act to judicial review proceedings in respect of a decision made, action taken or failure to take action pursuant to legislation giving effect to EU Directives on strategic environmental assessment (SEA), environmental impact assessment (EIA), and integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC).
636. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which a person can claim compensation under section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2010 in respect of a reduction in size of an original planning permission for a quarry and loss of income regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49269/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which introduced a once-off system of registration for most existing quarries, with the possibility of follow-up action in relation to an individual quarry by the planning authority concerned, came into operation on 28 April 2004.
Subsection (8) of section 261, as amended, provides for the making of a compensation claim in specified circumstances to the planning authority concerned arising from a decision made in respect of a quarry under section 261 by the authority, or An Bord Pleanála in the case of an appeal. It further specifies the types of conditions imposed on the operation of the quarry as part of such a decision in respect of which a compensation claim may not be made, including conditions preventing, limiting or controlling emissions from a quarry or requiring the re-instatement of the land on which a quarry is situated. Subsection (8) also provides that a compensation claim in respect of a relevant section 261 decision shall be made under section 197 of the Act, which relates to compensation claims arising from the discontinuance of an existing use of land or compliance with new conditions in continuing such use.
Part XII of the 2000 Act and Part 13 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, deal with compensation in relation to planning decisions generally. Section 183 of the Act provides that a compensation claim under section 197 must be made within 6 months of the discontinuance or compliance with the condition(s) in respect of which compensation is sought. Article 174 of the Regulations provides that a compensation claim shall be in writing and specifies the information to be included in the claim.
637. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the expert group to develop plans for a cost rental model for housing has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49319/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, noted that the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to develop a "cost rental" option, taking account of work already completed in this area, including by the National Economic and Social Council and others.
In line with this commitment, Action 12 of the Strategy commits my Department to lead an Expert Group to develop a cost rental model for the Irish rental sector. This Group will address issues such as funding mechanisms, the need to grow the necessary institutional capacity, particularly within the AHB and not-for-profit sector (whether through mergers, new entrants or strategic partnerships), rent levels, the households to be targeted and the appropriate regulation mechanisms.
The Expert Group will assess the benefits that a larger and more developed not-for-profit segment would bring to the rental sector and the housing system, by increasing supply of rental accommodation for low to middle-income households and ensuring new capacity is developed. Following the conclusion of the focused review of Rebuilding Ireland, it is my intention to establish this Expert Group in the coming weeks. A proposal regarding its membership and terms of reference is currently being finalised in my Department.
638. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the review of Rebuilding Ireland has been completed; if so, if the findings of the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49321/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness was published in July 2016 and after one year of implementation, it was important to review overall progress and impact. The housing activity reports, available on www.rebuildingireland.ie, show that the strong supply-side measures introduced under Rebuilding Ireland are beginning to have a positive impact and all output indicators are showing positive upward trends, with:
- Planning permissions up 49%: 19,246 new homes were granted planning permission in the year to end June;
- Commencement Notices up by 49%: notices for 17,323 new homes nationwide were submitted in the year to end September; and,
- ESB connections to the National Grid up 26%, at 17,958 homes nationally in the year to end September, 8,177 of which are in the Greater Dublin Area.
The Review process itself has involved a comprehensive examination of key policies and programmes, taking account of stakeholder views and inputs. In this regard, a broad public consultation process was undertaken and 122 submissions were received. Arising from the Review, a number of themed announcements on specific policy areas have already been made.
The first set of measures, with a particular focus on homelessness, were presented following the Housing and Homelessness Summit with local authority Chief Executives which I hosted on 8 September 2017. Among the new and enhanced actions identified are to increase social housing build, with the target for 2018 of c. 3,000 newly built homes increasing by almost 30% to 3,800 new homes; the provision of additional emergency accommodation and family hubs to meet the short-term needs of homeless households; and the establishment of a new Homeless Inter-Agency Group. The full statement on additional measures for Homelessness can be accessed by clicking on the following web-link - http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/outcomes-from-review-of-rebuilding-ireland/.
In relation to the rental market, new and enhanced actions identified include the designation of further areas as Rent Pressure Zones; an enhanced regulatory role for the Residential Tenancies Board; an awareness campaign to ensure wider awareness by tenants of their rights, an important measure in terms of homelessness prevention; and additional legislative and other measures to strengthen the protections available to tenants and to address issues in relation to short-term lettings. A full statement on new and enhanced rental measures was made, coinciding with the release of the Residential Tenancies Board Q2 2017 Rental Index, on 19 September 2017 and can be accessed at the following web-link - http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/residential-tenancies-boards-rent-index/.
Additional funding for housing and new tax measures relevant to housing were announced in Budget 2018. A full statement on the housing measures included in Budget 2018 can be accessed at the following web-link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-announces-housing-budget/.
I have signalled my intention to bring forward further proposals on areas such as housing affordability and the delivery of apartment developments, particularly build-to-rent projects. As work on these issues is finalised, further announcements will be made.
All new actions emanating from the review will be progressed under the governance and reporting structures in place in respect of Rebuilding Ireland.
639. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social houses built and occupied in each local authority area for the year to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the supports made available under Rebuilding Ireland, funding is available to all local authorities to deliver additional social housing stock through new construction projects and through the acquisition of new and previously owned houses/apartments for social housing use, including through working with approved housing bodies.
Details on the number of properties purchased and built in all local authority areas, for letting to those on the social housing waiting lists, are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. Information on quarter three of 2017 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
640. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites registered for the vacant site levy; the number of those which are under appeal with An Bord Pleanála by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49323/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas. Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017, and to issue annual notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June 2018 in respect of vacant sites on the register on 1 January 2018. The levy will be applied by planning authorities, commencing on 1 January 2019 in respect of sites which were vacant and on the vacant site register during the year 2018 and will subsequently be applied on an annual basis thereafter, as long as a site remains on the vacant site register in the preceding year.
Planning authorities are presently engaging in the necessary preparatory work, prior to the application of the levy with effect from January 2019 in respect of sites identified on the register in 2018. As required under the Act, this includes the identification of specific vacant sites for entry on the register as well as the registered owners of the sites in question along with undertaking a site valuation. Vacant site registers were established by planning authorities in January 2017 and planning authorities have begun the process of entering sites on the register and notifying the registered owner.
My Department does not maintain a central register of vacant sites as each local authority administers the vacant site register in respect of their functional area. On foot of a review of the on-line vacant site registers, I understand that there are over 100 sites on the registers and 28 of these cases have been appealed to An Bord Pleanála as follows:
|
Local Authority |
Number of Appeals |
|
Dublin City Council |
18 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
8 |
|
Total: |
28 |
My Department continues to monitor and engage with local authorities in relation to the implementation of the vacant site levy and, as recently as 8 November 2017, held a seminar with authorities in this regard.
641. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 514 of 14 of November 2017, the local authorities that have submitted plans for development of their sites; those which have yet to submit their plans; the timeframe for those plans to be published and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49328/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key objective of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is to increase the supply of high quality social housing and homes at more affordable price points, on local authority lands as quickly as possible, particularly in areas where demand is greatest.
To this end, all local authorities are preparing Strategic Development and Management Plans for their housing lands, with particular emphasis on prioritising those sites with the most potential to deliver housing at scale, in the short to medium term.
Currently 22 of the 31 local authorities have submitted their Strategic Plans to my Department. The remaining 9 local authorities that have yet to submit their plans have been requested to do so without further delay. The local authorities that have yet to submit their plans are listed in the following table.
|
Local Authorities yet to submit Strategic Development and Management Plans as at 20/11/2017 |
|
Carlow County Council |
|
Cork County Council |
|
Longford County Council |
|
Meath County Council |
|
Tipperary County Council |
|
Sligo County Council |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
|
Wexford County Council |
|
Wicklow County Council |
When all the plans have been reviewed and finalised, they will be made available publicly, both on the dedicated Rebuilding Ireland website, as well as on the website of the relevant local authority.
646. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the circumstances in which a non-Defence Forces organisation can record a film or video, etc., on a property or asset belonging to the Defence Forces; the procedure for seeking permission to do so; the process of assessment for such requests; the fees that may be charged; the number of such requests received in 2016 and to date in 2017, by month; the name of each requesting organisation; the location or asset requested for such purposes; and the amount paid in each case, in tabular form. [48690/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith the exception of press invitations to military events, companies who wish to film on a property or asset belonging to the Department of Defence apply to the relevant branch of my Department. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the relevant Defence Forces authority.
A number of factors are assessed in reaching a decision, including, but not limited to, the impact on Defence Forces operations, the film topic, the duration on-site, the appropriateness of the request, the benefits that could accrue to the Defence organisation, and the potential boost to local businesses, including the tourism industry. Approval of any request is subject to the company having adequate Public Liability Insurance in place indemnifying the Minister for Defence and signing an agreement stipulating the terms and conditions for filming on his property.
The rate charged for commercial filming on the Department’s property in 2016 was €200 per day plus VAT @ 23%. The rate was reviewed in 2017 and the current rate is €500 per day plus VAT. On many occasions, this fee is reduced or waived where the filming is conducted by, or on behalf of, charitable organisations or community groups, or where there would be a benefit to the Defence Forces, in terms of recruitment for example.
The number of requests received for filming on Department’s property was 32 in 2016 and 32 to date in 2017. These requests are broken down in the following tables.
2016 Filming Requests on Department’s Property
|
Name of Organisation |
Location |
Month |
Amount (ex. Vat) |
Comments |
|
Irish Orienteering Association |
Curragh Camp |
January |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Big & Beag |
Curragh Camp |
January |
€200.00 |
|
|
Shinawil for RTE |
McKee Barracks |
February |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Animo TV Productions - TG4 |
Gormanston Camp |
March |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
Liv O'Donoghue - Dublin Dance Festival commissioned by GPO |
Baldonnel |
March |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Maze Films DAC |
Collins Barracks |
April |
€200.00 |
|
|
Big O Media |
Cathal Brugha |
April |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
Centenary Films DAC |
McKee Barracks |
April |
€2,000.00 |
|
|
RTE |
Curragh Camp |
May |
€200.00 |
|
|
RTE |
Curragh Plains (Donnelly's Hollow) |
May |
€200.00 |
|
|
RTE |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
May |
€200.00 |
|
|
Big Mountain Productions for Channel 4's Ardal's Ireland |
Curragh Plains |
June |
€200.00 |
|
|
Boundless |
Columb Barracks |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
RTE |
Curragh Plains |
July |
€200.00 |
|
|
Seabed Productions for TG4 "Hollywood in Éirinn Series Two" |
Curragh Camp & Curragh Plains |
July |
€200.00 |
|
|
Open Eye Productions for TG4 Dúiche Series |
Fort Davis |
August |
€0.00 |
Waived |
2016 Filming Requests on Department’s Property
|
Irish Orienteering Association |
Curragh Camp |
January |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Big & Beag |
Curragh Camp |
January |
€200.00 |
|
|
Shinawil for RTE |
McKee Barracks |
February |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Animo TV Productions - TG4 |
Gormanston Camp |
March |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
Liv O'Donoghue - Dublin Dance Festival commissioned by GPO |
Baldonnel |
March |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Maze Films DAC |
Collins Barracks |
April |
€200.00 |
|
|
Big O Media |
Cathal Brugha |
April |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
Centenary Films DAC |
McKee Barracks |
April |
€2,000.00 |
|
|
RTE |
Curragh Camp |
May |
€200.00 |
|
|
RTE |
Curragh Plains (Donnelly's Hollow) |
May |
€200.00 |
|
|
RTE |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
May |
€200.00 |
|
|
Big Mountain Productions for Channel 4's Ardal's Ireland |
Curragh Plains |
June |
€200.00 |
|
|
Boundless |
Columb Barracks |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
RTE |
Curragh Plains |
July |
€200.00 |
|
|
Seabed Productions for TG4 "Hollywood in Éirinn Series Two" |
Curragh Camp & Curragh Plains |
July |
€200.00 |
|
|
Open Eye Productions for TG4 Dúiche Series |
Fort Davis |
August |
€0.00 |
Waived |
2016 Filming Requests on Department’s Property Continued
|
Name of Organisation |
Location |
Month |
Amount (ex. Vat) |
Comments |
|
Happy Endings Productions |
Curragh Camp |
August |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Kenny Whittle |
McKee Barracks |
August |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Irish Film Locations |
Columb Barracks |
August |
€0.00 |
Cancelled |
|
RTE |
Baldonnel |
September |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
Moondance Films |
McKee Barracks |
September |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
Niall Campion Annual Productions |
Glen of Imaal |
September |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
RTE |
Glen of Imaal |
October |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
RTE |
Cathal Brugha, Dublin |
October |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
RTE |
Dundalk Barracks |
October |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
RTE |
Baldonnel |
October |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
RTE |
Baldonnel |
October |
€0.00 |
Waived |
|
Christchurch Productions DAC |
McKee Barracks, Dublin |
October/November |
€4,500.00 |
|
|
RTE |
Curragh Camp |
October |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Eoin Holohan - Location Manager |
Curragh Camp |
October /November |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Tilted Pictures |
Unspecified location |
October/November |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Tilted Pictures |
Curragh Camp & Glen of Imaal |
November |
€0.00 |
Refused |
2017 Filming Requests on Department’s Property
|
Name of Organisation |
Location |
Month |
Amount (ex. Vat) |
Comments |
|
Gordon Wycherley - Film Location Manager |
Mullingar Barracks |
January |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Muddy Pictures DAC |
Kilbride Firing Range |
February |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
South Winds Blow Ltd |
St. Bricin's Hospital |
March |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Jack Martin |
Aiken Barracks |
March |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Muddy Pictures DAC |
Kilbride Firing Range |
March |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Niall Campion Productions |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
April |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Ballyfermot College of Further Education |
Curragh Camp |
April |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Scannáin MMT CGA for TG4 |
Renmore Barracks |
May |
€500.00 |
|
|
Blinder Films |
Curragh Camp |
May |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
South Winds Blow Ltd |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
May |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Dean Leonanderson |
Curragh Camp |
May |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Noel Brady Film Maker |
Cathal Brugha |
May |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Troy Studios |
Sarsfield Barracks |
May |
€0.00 |
Date to be confirmed |
|
Donnacha Brady |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
May |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Ciara O'Gorman, Gaisce - RTE |
Curragh Camp |
June |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Hell's Kitchen / Romulus Entertainment |
Cathal Brugha, Athlone, Baldonnel Barracks and Gormonston Camp & Curragh Camp |
June |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Crossing the Line Films for RTE |
Curragh Plains |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Rocket Science Productions |
Glen of Imaal |
June |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
2017 Filming Requests on Department’s Property Continued |
||||
|
Name of Organisation |
Location |
Month |
Amount (ex. Vat) |
Comments |
|
Niall Martin - Location Manager |
Sarsfield Barracks |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Rocket Science Productions |
Curragh Camp |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
South Winds Blow Ltd |
Remore Barracks |
June/July |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Mick Swan - Location Scout |
Kilbride Firing Range |
July |
€0.00 |
Dates suggested unsuitable due to military training - revised dates requested |
|
New Decade TV Ltd for RTE |
Curragh Camp |
August |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Barrow Coakley Photography |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
August |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
DJI Spark - Peter Goulding |
Finner Camp |
October |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Mick Swan - Location Scout |
Columb Barracks |
October |
€0.00 |
Time & date for visit requested but no response received |
|
RTE |
Glen of Imaal |
October |
€0.00 |
Cancelled due to bad weather - to be rescheduled |
|
Dearg Films for TG4 |
Sarsfield Barracks |
October |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Karl Daly - Location Scout |
Curragh camp |
October |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Framework Films Ltd |
Collins Barracks, Cork |
November |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
RTE |
Curragh Camp |
November |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Motive Television Ltd for TV3 |
Curragh Camp |
November |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
2017 Filming Requests on Department’s Property
|
Name of Organisation |
Location |
Month |
Amount (ex. Vat) |
Comments |
|
Gordon Wycherley - Film Location Manager |
Mullingar Barracks |
January |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Muddy Pictures DAC |
Kilbride Firing Range |
February |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
South Winds Blow Ltd |
St. Bricin's Hospital |
March |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Jack Martin |
Aiken Barracks |
March |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Muddy Pictures DAC |
Kilbride Firing Range |
March |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Niall Campion Productions |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
April |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Ballyfermot College of Further Education |
Curragh Camp |
April |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Scannáin MMT CGA for TG4 |
Renmore Barracks |
May |
€500.00 |
|
|
Blinder Films |
Curragh Camp |
May |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
South Winds Blow Ltd |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
May |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Dean Leonanderson |
Curragh Camp |
May |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Noel Brady Film Maker |
Cathal Brugha |
May |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Troy Studios |
Sarsfield Barracks |
May |
€0.00 |
Date to be confirmed |
|
Donnacha Brady |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
May |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Ciara O'Gorman, Gaisce - RTE |
Curragh Camp |
June |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Hell's Kitchen / Romulus Entertainment |
Cathal Brugha, Athlone, Baldonnel Barracks and Gormonston Camp & Curragh Camp |
June |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Crossing the Line Films for RTE |
Curragh Plains |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Rocket Science Productions |
Glen of Imaal |
June |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
2017 Filming Requests on Department’s Property Continued |
||||
|
Name of Organisation |
Location |
Month |
Amount (ex. Vat) |
Comments |
|
Niall Martin - Location Manager |
Sarsfield Barracks |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Rocket Science Productions |
Curragh Camp |
June |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
South Winds Blow Ltd |
Remore Barracks |
June/July |
€0.00 |
Cancelled by company |
|
Mick Swan - Location Scout |
Kilbride Firing Range |
July |
€0.00 |
Dates suggested unsuitable due to military training - revised dates requested |
|
New Decade TV Ltd for RTE |
Curragh Camp |
August |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Barrow Coakley Photography |
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
August |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
DJI Spark - Peter Goulding |
Finner Camp |
October |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Mick Swan - Location Scout |
Columb Barracks |
October |
€0.00 |
Time & date for visit requested but no response received |
|
RTE |
Glen of Imaal |
October |
€0.00 |
Cancelled due to bad weather - to be rescheduled |
|
Dearg Films for TG4 |
Sarsfield Barracks |
October |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Karl Daly - Location Scout |
Curragh camp |
October |
€0.00 |
Refused |
|
Framework Films Ltd |
Collins Barracks, Cork |
November |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
RTE |
Curragh Camp |
November |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Motive Television Ltd for TV3 |
Curragh Camp |
November |
€0.00 |
Fee waived |
|
Total Number of requests: 32 |
Total amount: |
€500.00 |
647. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the preparations made in his Department in the event of no agreement being reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the terms of the UK's exit from the EU; if such preparations involve the drawing up of detailed and specific contingency plans in the event of a hard Brexit and a trade regime based on WTO tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48774/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Minister Coveney has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with his colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies.
Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental coordination structures. These represent a frequent and active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit, including its priorities for the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.
As the outcome of the negotiations is not yet known, an important focus of the planning and preparation being undertaken through these structures is on deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios. This represents an intensification of efforts to build on the Government‘s contingency planning.
The outcome of the vote of 23 June 2016 in the UK will have implications across all aspects of the business of the European Union. While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future developments in the Defence sphere.
As the Deputy has previously been advised, on 19 January, 2015 Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Defence, Ireland and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence on enhancement on certain aspects of Security and Defence Cooperation. This provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding placed already existing co-operation arrangements in the Defence area between Ireland and the UK on a more formal and transparent footing, while fully respecting the differing policy positions and security arrangements of both States.
The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN Crisis Management Operations; joint procurement initiatives; pooling and sharing resources; general sharing on reform in defence services; potential for staff exchanges; joint contribution to Security Sector Reform and capacity building in crisis locations and the sharing of information.
Having regard to the bi-lateral arrangements already in place, and the fact Brexit does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland's continuing engagement in the EUs Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is not considered that a detailed and specific contingency plan in the Defence sphere is necessary at this time. Such a requirement will be kept under constant review and all potential consequences in the defence sphere, arising on foot of ongoing negotiations will remain the subject of ongoing consideration by my Department throughout this process.
In that regard while the implications for the border will emerge during the course of the negotiations, it is this Government’s stated goal to try to ensure that the current on-island border arrangements are maintained to the greatest extent possible. The fact of a UK exit from the EU does not of itself give rise to additional border security requirements at this time. Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Responsibility for the security aspect of border control rests with An Garda Síochána while the Revenue Commissioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate.
Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces also provide support to the Revenue Commissioners on request. The Defence Forces at all times keep operational plans under constant review. There is ongoing close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters and regular coordination and liaison meetings take place.
The Government remains under no illusions about the complexity of these negotiations or the potential impacts that may arise on their conclusion. In that regard, I wish to reassure the Deputy that my Department is monitoring the ongoing situation and is engaged along with the Defence Forces in prudent planning to ensure that the Department and the Defence Forces are well prepared to address any potential issues or potential future threats arising in the defence area on foot of Brexit.
648. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of providing external coaching and-or training services for staff development in his Department over the past five years and to date in 2017, by cost per year, in tabular form; the company that delivered the training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting the ongoing learning and development of employees, to support them in delivering a high quality public service through targeted training programmes and by reimbursing fees where appropriate under the Refund of Fees Scheme. The following table outlines the information requested by the Deputy:-
2012
|
Cost |
Company |
|
€585.00 |
Achilles Procurement Services |
|
€520.00 |
Alliance Francaise |
|
€950.00 |
Carr Communications Ltd., |
|
€1,550.00 |
Civil Defence Services |
|
€245.32 |
Civil Service Language Centre |
|
€7,350.00 |
DCU |
|
€8,856.00 |
Enovation Solutions |
|
€31,646.11 |
IPA |
|
€500.00 |
Kildare County Council |
|
€1,650.00 |
Legal Training Services |
|
€450.00 |
MAZARS |
|
€1,400.00 |
Mr. Andrew McLaughlin |
|
€300.00 |
National Learning Network Ltd., |
|
€1,190.00 |
O'Herlihy Access Consultancy |
|
€7,665.00 |
Phoenix Safety |
|
€520.00 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
|
€600.00 |
Reading Development Institute |
|
€495.00 |
Talent Fusion |
|
€ 66,472.43 |
Total |
2013
|
Cost |
Company |
|
€1,066.50 |
Achilles Procurement Services |
|
€811.29 |
AuditWare |
|
€3,420.00 |
Baker Tilly |
|
€4,400.00 |
CARR Communications LTD |
|
€1,450.00 |
Civil Defence Services |
|
€6,273.00 |
Enovation Solutions |
|
€962.50 |
High Performance Training |
|
€32,455.78 |
IPA |
|
€1,166.50 |
Mr. Seamus O'Dwyer |
|
€13,400.00 |
NUIG |
|
€1,775.00 |
Phoenix Safety |
|
€998.00 |
Professional Development Ltd., |
|
€590.00 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
|
€1,200.00 |
Reading Development Institute |
|
€552.50 |
Samson Training |
|
€425.00 |
The Irish Times Ltd., |
|
€550.00 |
Western Management Centre |
|
€ 71,496.07 |
Total |
2014
|
Cost |
Company |
|
€4,280.00 |
Achilles |
|
€3,336.11 |
Auditware |
|
€7,194.00 |
Carr Communications |
|
€450.00 |
Castle Mechanical Handling |
|
€50.00 |
CISM |
|
€1,150.00 |
Civil Defence Services |
|
€400.00 |
Danish Emergency Management |
|
€75.00 |
French Tuition |
|
€1,260.00 |
IMA |
|
€34,729.18 |
IPA |
|
€1,875.00 |
Ipass |
|
€650.00 |
Kildare Language Institute |
|
€2,565.00 |
Legal Island |
|
€405.00 |
Newbridge Fire Station |
|
€215.03 |
Notinghamshire NHS Trust |
|
€13,400.00 |
NUIG |
|
€2,944.75 |
Open University |
|
€15,774.35 |
PAI |
|
€975.00 |
Phoenix Safety |
|
€1,040.00 |
Seamus O'Dwyer |
|
€3,490.00 |
Western Management Centre |
|
€1,500.00 |
Young Ireland |
|
€ 97,758.42 |
Total |
2015
|
Cost |
Company |
|
€1,810.00 |
Achilles |
|
€5,675.00 |
Arcline |
|
€1,364.70 |
BMF Business Services |
|
€4,414.15 |
Carr Communications |
|
€547.50 |
Chartered Accountant |
|
€8,000.00 |
Common Purpose Ltd |
|
€105.00 |
Construction Industry Federation |
|
€3,500.00 |
Dept. of Justice |
|
€50.00 |
Eventbrite |
|
€2,463.00 |
French Tuition |
|
€350.00 |
High Performance Training |
|
€190.00 |
HV Safety Services |
|
€783.70 |
ICISF Conference |
|
€39,140.74 |
IPA |
|
€2,771.80 |
Ipass |
|
€440.00 |
IRN Publishing |
|
€200.00 |
KYC |
|
€1,265.00 |
Legal Island |
|
€450.00 |
Mustdo Training |
|
€750.00 |
Noel Tallon |
|
€2,900.00 |
NUIG |
|
€1,260.00 |
Octava Onlive |
|
€2,825.00 |
Oiliuna |
|
€6,116.80 |
PAI |
|
€2,860.50 |
PDP Compliance Ltd. |
|
€3,095.00 |
Pheonix Safety |
|
€1,042.00 |
Seamus O'Dwyer |
|
€950.00 |
Shane Martin |
|
€1,000.00 |
William Conroy |
|
€1,425.00 |
Young Ireland |
|
€ 97,744.89 |
Total |
2016
|
Cost |
Company |
|
€299.90 |
Accounting Technicians Ireland |
|
€850.00 |
Achilles |
|
€2,050.00 |
ALLONE Corporate Solutions |
|
€1,482.15 |
Anthony Kerr |
|
€2,730.00 |
Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon |
|
€29,679.48 |
Becon Training |
|
€1,250.00 |
BT Communication Ltd. |
|
€95.00 |
Career Services |
|
€1,700.00 |
Carr Communication |
|
€2,418.77 |
CMG |
|
€8,000.00 |
Common Purpose |
|
€7,235.00 |
DCU |
|
€360.60 |
DPER |
|
€590.00 |
EAP Institute |
|
€5,049.50 |
French Tuition |
|
€3,362.64 |
GMIT |
|
€315.00 |
Health & Mobility LTD |
|
€21,409.96 |
IPA |
|
€625.00 |
Irish Times Ltd. |
|
€2,350.00 |
Kings Inn |
|
€5,828.00 |
Legal Island |
|
€5,000.00 |
NUIG |
|
€3,350.00 |
Oiliuna |
|
€10,549.86 |
Open University |
|
€2,165.70 |
PAI |
|
€200.00 |
Progressive Training |
|
€5,900.00 |
RA Consulting |
|
€3,220.00 |
Retirement Planning Council of Ireland |
|
€399.00 |
Seamus O'Dwyer |
|
€984.25 |
Shannon Consulting |
|
€615.00 |
Turas Consulting |
|
€650.00 |
Western Management |
|
€175.00 |
Western Society |
|
€2,950.00 |
Young Ireland |
|
€ 133,839.81 |
Total |
2017 - to date
|
Cost |
Company |
|
€4,025.00 |
ACCA |
|
€2,115.00 |
Achilles |
|
€1,740.00 |
Arcline |
|
€6,324.67 |
Auditware |
|
€180.00 |
Avanti Language Institute |
|
€6,340.40 |
Beacon Training |
|
€2,802.94 |
Byrne Wallace |
|
€550.00 |
Carr Communications |
|
€820.00 |
Chartered Accountant |
|
€750.00 |
CMG |
|
€950.00 |
CMSE |
|
€8,000.00 |
Common Purpose |
|
€2,850.00 |
Cork University |
|
€1,680.00 |
Dept. of Justice |
|
€2,600.00 |
DMS Personnel Consultants Ireland Ltd. |
|
€4,051.28 |
DPER |
|
€260.00 |
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
|
€440.00 |
ECDL Ireland |
|
€588.60 |
ERA |
|
€1,428.00 |
French Tuition |
|
€1,750.00 |
GMIT |
|
€625.47 |
ICISF World Conf |
|
€9,990.00 |
IMI |
|
€21,230.00 |
IPA |
|
€3,000.00 |
John O'Dowd Consultants |
|
€4,700.00 |
Kings Inn |
|
€7,265.00 |
Legal Island |
|
€110.00 |
Mediators Institute of Ireland |
|
€2,267.15 |
Mediavest |
|
€1,647.16 |
Open University |
|
€14,065.70 |
PAI |
|
€1,270.00 |
Retirement Planning Council of Ireland |
|
€1,513.86 |
RINA |
|
€650.00 |
Safety Solutions |
|
€53.28 |
SAI Global |
|
€320.00 |
Seamus O'Dwyer |
|
€9,245.00 |
Trigraph |
|
€1,480.00 |
UCD |
|
€8,450.00 |
University of Kent |
|
€1,325.00 |
Western Management Centre Ltd. |
|
€2,950.00 |
Young Ireland |
|
€ 142,403.51 |
Total |
649. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the names of the companies renting a fixing and-or space on telecommunications and-or communications masts from his Department; the income received for each of the past five years for same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48837/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra650. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the income received by his Department from the renting to companies of space to use and-or take fixings from telecommunications and-or communications masts on site or on the roof of his Department, in each of the past five years, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48875/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 650 together.
In certain circumstances, the Defence Forces permit their telecommunications infrastructure to be used by private companies. On occasion, private companies are also permitted to erect infrastructure on military property. In both scenarios, rent is charged. Where a private company has erected infrastructure on military property the company may permit other companies to access their infrastructure. In these cases, the Department charges for access to the facility.
The income received by the Department of Defence in these circumstances is set out in the following table.
|
COMPANY |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
VODAFONE |
€32,582.70 |
€43,532.70 |
€32,582.70 |
€32,582.70 |
€32,582.70 |
|
METEOR |
€48,865.96 |
€24,741.45 |
€0.00 |
€13,370.10 |
€13,370.10 |
|
RTE |
€10,000.00 |
€10,000.00 |
€10,000.00 |
€10,000.00 |
€10,000.00 |
|
EIRCOM |
€12,300.00 |
€12,300.00 |
€12,300.00 |
€12,300.00 |
€10,000.00 |
|
O2 |
€10,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€20,000.00 |
€12,300.00 |
€12,300.00 |
|
TODAY FM |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€7,380.00 |
€3,690.00 |
|
AIRSPEED |
€3,517.50 |
€3,862.50 |
€3,690.00 |
€3,690.00 |
€2,767.50 |
|
DIGIWEB |
€2,580.00 |
€922.50 |
€922.50 |
€922.50 |
€922.50 |
|
UPC |
€153.73 |
€153.75 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€307.46 |
|
TOTAL |
€119,999.89 |
€95,512.90 |
€79,495.20 |
€92,545.30 |
€85,940.26 |
651. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason electricity bills have not been issued to some residents in the Defence Force building for the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48902/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectricity supplied to individual consumers in the Curragh camp cannot be billed directly from energy suppliers for technical reasons related to the distribution network in the camp. The individual meters are read on a bimonthly basis and bills for usage are issued from my Department. In early 2017, a review was undertaken of the basis on which charges were applied and a decision was made not to issue bills until this review was completed. However, this review is taking longer than anticipated due to the unique situation that prevails in the Curragh camp, as previously mentioned.
The process of issuing bills will recommence shortly. It is not intended to seek payment of arrears from any individual arising as a result of the non-issuing of bills over the course of the review. My Department will be in contact with individual electricity consumers in the Curragh in the near future.
652. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the pension being paid to a person (details supplied) is the correct amount; if the tax deductions are correct; and if an examination of the matter will be expedited. [48991/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is in receipt of a Defence Forces occupational pension, the gross rate of which (i.e. before tax) is fully in accordance with the pension scheme rules applicable in his case. However, his Defence Forces pension is liable to income tax and the universal social charge on the same basis as applies generally. These are statutory deductions based on specific instructions issued by the Revenue Commissioners. The relevant PAYE and USC details are shown on his pension payslip.
Since October 2015, the processing and payment of monthly Defence Forces pensions on behalf of the Department of Defence is carried out by the Payroll Shared Services Centre (PSSC), which is part of the National Shared Services Office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Instructions regarding the deduction of tax are sent directly to the PSSC by the Revenue Commissioners.
If the person concerned has any queries regarding the deduction of income tax or USC from his pension – including the reason his tax credits are changed during the course of a tax year – he is advised to contact his local Revenue office directly, the address of which is shown on his Tax Credit Certificate or on any correspondence received from Revenue.
