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Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1534-1550

Water Services

Ceisteanna (1534)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

1534. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress made in identifying and registering assets which belong to the public water system. [15431/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Section 12 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides for the transfer, by Ministerial Order, of the property of a water services authority (a city council, county council or city and county council) to Irish Water. The process requires that any land transferred to Irish Water must be clearly and unambiguously identified. Accordingly, land (including water services assets) is being transferred by reference to its Property Registration Authority folio number.

Considerable complex work is required to identify all of the folios containing water services assets with many of the folios being of mixed use thus requiring sub-division before transfer to Irish Water.

Prior to the vesting of assets by Ministerial Order, local authorities working in conjunction with Irish Water and the Property Registration Authority (PRA), with the support of my Department, ensure that each asset has been correctly identified and included on a Manager's Order for subsequent inclusion in the Ministerial Order. My Department also provides funding to local authorities to facilitate the asset transfer process.

Up to end 2017, a total of 12 Ministerial Orders have been made to transfer water services assets from the local authorities to Irish Water accounting for some 2,015 assets or approximately 30% of the currently known asset base of 6,696. Subsequent to my signing of a Ministerial Order, the PRA undertakes the process of registration of the water services assets with Irish Water. The focus has been on the transfer of larger assets resulting in approximately 64% of water supply capacity and approximately 67% of wastewater treatment capacity currently transferred to Irish Water.

Further Ministerial Orders are being completed in line with the receipt of the Manager's Orders from local authorities.

Planning Data

Ceisteanna (1535)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

1535. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 666 of 13 February 2018, the number of applications made to An Bord Pleanála to date under the fast-track planning system; the number of these applications that have been declared invalid; the number of applications that have been refused and that were successful, respectively; and the average processing times for pre-planning decision and a final decision, respectively, in tabular form. [15446/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provides for new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments, of 100 housing units or more or student accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) for determination.

From the time that the new arrangements came into operation in July 2017 up until 31 March 2018, the Board received 47 valid pre-application consultation requests in respect of which 39 opinions have already issued. The Board has subsequently received 19 planning applications and has issued decisions in respect of 12 cases to date.

The following table sets out the statistics requested in relation to Strategic Housing Developments up to 31 March 2018:

Number of SHD planning applications made to An Bord Pleanála

 19

The number of these applications that have been declared invalid

 0

The number of applications that have been successful

 9*

The number of applications that have been refused

 3

The average processing time for forming a pre-planning opinion

c. 8 weeks

The average time for final decisions on planning applications

c. 14 weeks

* 1 decision was granted in part.

Home Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (1536, 1605)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

1536. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the eligibility conditions that apply for separated or divorced applicants for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme according to the credit policy 2018; and if the same credit policy applies across all local authorities. [15448/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

1605. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme's criteria to be altered or extended to allow applications from those who are not seen as first-time buyers due to having previously purchased a home, but due to separation or divorce have no entitlement to the first house and who have a housing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16349/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1536 and 1605 together.

As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first-time buyers only. There is no change to this regard. This is to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources.

Applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers if they meet certain conditions, including:

- They are separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement;

- The property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;

- They have left the family home and retain no interest in it; or

- The other party has remained in the family home.

The option currently available for non-first-time buyers is to seek home loan facilities from one of the commercial lending institutions.

Detailed information on the new mortgage is available on the dedicated  www.rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie website, or directly from local authorities.

Regarding the credit policy, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Credit Policy 2018 has been in operation since 1 February 2018. This document replaces the previous Credit Policy issued under Circular HPS 4/2009. The revised credit policy provides written guidance for all local authorities for the processing of loan applications and the making of loans under the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans) Regulations 2018, which sets out the regulatory framework for the new Scheme.

Question No. 1537 answered with Question No. 1497.

Local Authority Funding

Ceisteanna (1538)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1538. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding will be allocated to Galway County Council and Galway City Council in respect of the 2018 housing aid for older people scheme, the housing adaptation scheme and the mobility aids scheme; the amount of money that will be allocated under these schemes to both councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15477/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Notification of the 2018 funding allocations to individual local authorities, including Galway County Council and Galway City Council, will issue shortly in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability.

Ahead of the notification of these allocations, work in respect of these programmes can continue. All local authorities may commit up to 65% of their 2017 allocation in approving applications for 2018. This interim funding provision will comfortably allow local authorities to advance work under these programmes pending full year allocations for 2018 being confirmed shortly.

Seaweed Harvesting Licences

Ceisteanna (1539)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1539. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to update the maritime area and foreshore laws particularly for seaweed harvesting; if prior to publishing new legislation he plans to set up a forum representative of all interests, namely, State, industry, owners and harvesters, relevant to the seaweed industry; if the best way forward will be examined and recommendations made to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15553/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

 My current focus in relation to seaweed harvesting is the legal interface between the rights held by seaweed harvesters and the foreshore licensing regime. Once I am in a position to address the rights question I will announce my decision on further policy development including the question of an overall forum.

Local Government Reform

Ceisteanna (1540, 1541)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1540. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to make a decision on the report regarding the amalgamation of Galway city and county councils; if legislation will be required to implement the recommendations of the report; the timescale for introducing such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15556/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1541. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to appoint a commission to examine the electoral areas of Galway city and county councils ahead of the 2019 local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15557/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1540 and 1541 together.

The final report of the Galway Expert Advisory Group on Local Government Arrangements in Galway is expected to be submitted before the end of April, at which point arrangements for the review of local electoral areas will be put in place without delay. Pending receipt and consideration of this report, it is not possible to indicate what measures might arise from the recommendations of the Group.

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Ceisteanna (1542)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1542. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the report on the tenant incremental purchase scheme 2016 will be published; the reason for the delay in doing so; his plans to implement its recommendations; when he plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15563/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which took place in 2017 and saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.

The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations. In finalising the report some further inter-Departmental consultation was necessary and due consideration had to be given to possible implementation arrangements. These matters are now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review shortly.

Tenant Purchase Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (1543)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1543. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses sold by local authorities to date in 2018 under the tenant incremental purchase scheme 2016 by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15564/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Local authorities are by law (Section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 2001) independent in the performance of their functions. The operation of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 is a matter for individual local authorities, in line with relevant legislation, including the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015.

The data requested by the Deputy is not yet available. However, information on sale of local authority houses in previous years up to 2016 can be found on my Department's website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.

Water Services Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (1544)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1544. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of domestic wastewater systems here in tabular form; the number of other private housing estate wastewater systems by local authority area; the number of each registered by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15568/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Water Services (Amendment) Act, 2012 each water services authority is required to establish and maintain a register of domestic waste water treatment systems situated within its functional area.

The most recent Census, published in 2016 by the Central Statistics Office, indicated that there were 438,319 septic tanks and 50,750 individual treatment systems in Ireland. A total of 464,114 systems are registered at present.

The following table gives the breakdown of registrations by local authority. Statistics are not available in relation to whether a particular registration refers to an individual or shared septic tank.

Domestic Wastewater Registrations by LA

Water Services Authority

Registered Properties

Carlow County Council

6,420

Cavan County Council

14,075

Clare County Council

20,134

Cork City Council

610

Cork County Council

52,213

Donegal County Council

29,333

Dublin City Council

133

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

1,155

Fingal County Council

3,392

Galway City Council

788

Galway County Council

40,178

Kerry County Council

33,003

Kildare County Council

14,052

Kilkenny County Council

13,569

Laois County Council

10,104

Leitrim County Council

7,774

Limerick City Council

281

Limerick County Council

21,563

Longford County Council

7,438

Louth County Council

9,698

Mayo County Council

28,478

Meath County Council

18,967

Monaghan County Council

11,258

North Tipperary County Council

12,082

Offaly County Council

9,741

Roscommon County Council

14,641

Sligo County Council

11,478

South Dublin County Council

1,242

South Tipperary County Council

13,206

Waterford City Council

403

Waterford County Council

9,583

Westmeath County Council

11,428

Wexford County Council

24,354

Wicklow County Council

11,340

Total:

464,114

Wastewater Treatment

Ceisteanna (1545)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1545. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to provide a free desludging service to all domestic wastewater systems (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15569/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Section 70 of the Water Services Act 2007 places a duty of care on the owner of a premises to ensure that their waste water treatment systems are kept so as not to cause, or be likely to cause, a risk to human health or the environment, including risk to water, the atmosphere, land, soil, plants or animals, or create a nuisance through odours. The duty of care provisions have been augmented by the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and associated regulations.

Any person who considers that his or her treatment system constitutes, or may constitute, a risk to human health or the environment is responsible for having any necessary remediation works carried out without delay. The Act assigns responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a National Inspection Plan (NIP) for domestic wastewater treatment systems and neither I nor my Department has any direct role in monitoring the implementation of the plan by the local authorities.

The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grant scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Inspection Plan, to require repair or upgrading. The Regulations provide that, subject to the applicant meeting all qualification criteria, a local authority may pay a grant to a person who is required, following an inspection, to undertake repairs or upgrades to, or replacement of, a septic tank or other domestic waste water treatment system. Applications for grant aid are administered by the local authority in whose functional area the particular domestic waste water treatment system requiring remediation is situated. The local authorities then seek recoupment of the amounts paid from my Department. Where a local authority pays a grant under the scheme, my Department will recoup to the local authority 100% of the amount paid.

Full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, are set out in the explanatory leaflet and application form published on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/domestic-waste-water-systemsseptic-tanks/domestic-waste-water-treatment-0.

The grants scheme ensures that the limited financial resources available are targeted towards householders, particularly those on lower incomes, who incur expenditure directly as a result of the inspection scheme. My Department is revising this scheme to better support the programme of measures in the finalised River Basin Management Plan 2018 - 2021 which is being published today. The scheme is being extended in order to provide particular support to high status waters and areas identified for priority action in the River Basin Management Plan.

I have recently approved the establishment of a Working Group to conduct a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The review will focus on the actions required to improve and sustain rural water services and will consider issues such as governance, supervision and monitoring of the sector, in addition to capital investment priorities and requirements across all elements of rural water services, including domestic waste water treatment systems. The establishment of the Working Group is being undertaken in response to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services.

In its April 2017 Report the Committee recommended that, “the principles of equity of treatment and equivalent financial support should be applied equally between households on public water supplies and those availing of private water services”, and that my Department should conduct a review in consultation with relevant stakeholders “to quantify what additional investment will be required to equalise treatment between those availing of domestic water services and those availing of private services.” The review will consider how best to position and resource water services in rural areas so that they can contribute further to the development and long-term sustainability of a comprehensive and cohesive Rural Water Sector that will have the capacity to produce quality outcomes comparable to those available to customers of public water services.

The Terms of Reference of the review provide that there will be a two-strand approach to the considerations of the Working Group. Strand 1 will consider the composition and distribution of funding for the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme from 2019 up to 2021, while Strand 2 will consider the more complex longer-focus issues surrounding the long-term future resourcing of the Rural Water Sector. It is intended that by the end of July 2018, the Working Group will produce a summary report on Strand 1 of its deliberations which will outline the rationale for funding priorities for the next cycle of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme up to 2021. At that time the Working Group will also set out time frames for its consideration of and reporting on the more complex longer-focus (Strand 2) matters.

The organisations that are participating on the Working Group reflect the importance and wide ranging impact of the Rural Water Sector. In addition to my Department, the Working Group is to comprise the following other Departments and bodies: the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Health Service Executive, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and the County and City Management Association. It is expected that the Working Group will consult with other relevant stakeholders in respect of specific topics under consideration.

Wastewater Treatment Facilities Inspections

Ceisteanna (1546)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1546. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of inspections carried out each year since the introduction of mandatory registration of single house wastewater systems in 2012 and 2013, by local authority; the number of these that resulted in work having to be carried out on the system; the number of grants approved; the total cost of the grants by year and local authority area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15570/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 assigns responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a National Inspection Plan (NIP) for domestic wastewater treatment systems and neither I, nor my Department, has any direct role in monitoring the implementation of the plan by the local authorities.

The EPA was the supervisory body for the purposes of the National Inspection Plan 2013: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems, which was adopted and published by the EPA in February 2013. The EPA has conducted a review of the implementation of the Plan for the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. The report contains a breakdown by county of inspections that have taken place and includes details relating to non-compliant treatment systems and advisory notices. It is available on the Agency’s website at the following link:

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/Report%20National%20Inspection%20Plan%20Web.pdf.

A further NIP Inspection Data Report 1st July 2013 - 31st December 2014 provided an update to the previous review and included data from inspections carried out in the period 1st July 2013 to 31st December 2014. This is available at: http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/nip2013inspectiondatareport/.

The National Inspection Plan 2015 to 2017: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems was adopted and published by the EPA in 2015. The Plan provides for a minimum of 1,000 inspections to be carried out by the water services authorities (which are the 31 county, city, and county and city councils) on an annual basis up to December 2017. Details of the minimum number of inspections to be carried out in each county are included in the Plan. This plan is also available on the Agency’s website at:

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/nationalinspectionplan2015-2017.html.

The Agency has published the third National Inspection Plan for the period 2018 to 2021: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Draft for Consultation, which closed on 26 January 2018. The draft plan is available on the Agency's website at the following link:  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/consultation/.

The following table gives details of grants paid in accordance with the requirements of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 by local authorities for domestic waste water treatment systems from 2014 to date in 2018.

Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (including Septic tanks) - Recoupments by Dept of Housing, Planning & Local Government to Local Authorities to cover costs of grants paid by Local authorities.

~

2014

~~

2015

~

2016

~

2017

~

2018

~

County

No. of Grants Paid

Amount Recouped to the Council €

No. of Grants Paid

Amount Recouped to the Council €

No. of Grants Paid

Amount Recouped to the Council €

No. of Grants Paid

Amount Recouped to the Council €

No. of Grants Paid

Amount Recouped to the Council €

Cavan

1

         2,370.95

                1

     4,000.00

Clare

7

 €         21,270.53

3

 €       10,500.00

4

       11,700.00

                3

     9,954.40

Cork

6

 €         10,098.98

12

 €       27,132.56

3

         6,276.34

                4

   10,141.63

Donegal

6

 €         15,281.26

 €                      -  

Fingal

1

 €           2,951.20

 €                      -  

Galway

4

 €  15,300.06

8

 €         28,912.20

2

 €         6,744.00

9

       26,199.44

Kerry

4

 €           9,359.06

5

 €       16,542.38

3

         9,581.18

                1

     3,368.68

Kildare

2

 €           8,000.00

 €                      -  

1

         4,000.00

                1

     2,500.00

Laois

1

 €         4,000.00

3

         9,448.00

Leitrim

1

 €    2,500.00

 €                      -  

                1

     1,203.10

Limerick

4

 €  14,500.00

6

 €         17,661.60

5

 €       17,238.72

2

         6,500.00

                3

     9,750.00

Longford

1

 €    4,000.00

2

 €           6,500.00

 €                      -  

                1

     4,000.00

Louth

1

 €    4,000.00

 €                      -  

Mayo

6

 €         23,818.60

7

 €       19,538.56

12

       36,923.14

                3

     9,999.20

Meath

9

 €  30,476.00

4

 €         12,536.20

11

 €       41,000.00

8

       29,000.00

                3

   12,000.00

Monaghan

5

 €         17,053.00

4

 €       12,837.00

                2

     5,703.00

Offaly

4

 €         12,126.51

 €                      -  

Roscommon

1

 €    4,000.00

12

 €         40,251.28

4

 €       16,000.00

7

       25,000.00

                2

     7,296.00

Sligo

3

 €  11,161.75

6

 €         22,106.00

4

 €         8,821.74

1

         4,000.00

Tipperary

4

 €    9,741.25

3

 €       10,290.78

1

         4,000.00

Waterford

2

 €         4,903.20

Westmeath

1

 €    2,896.20

1

 €               150.00

1

 €         3,690.89

Wexford

5

 €           8,482.45

8

 €       12,760.00

6

       17,822.63

                5

   14,810.50

Wicklow

1

         6,500.00

Totals

29

 €  98,575.26

85

 €       256,558.87

72

 €    211,999.83

62

    199,321.68

             30

   94,726.51

Wastewater Treatment

Ceisteanna (1547, 1548, 1549)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1547. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to abolish the means test for the private wastewater upgrade grant and increase the grant to 100% in view of the fact that domestic wastewater charges have been abolished on public schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15571/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1548. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to make all registered owners of domestic wastewater systems eligible for the private wastewater upgrade grant rather than only those who registered before 1 February 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15572/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1549. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to extend the private wastewater scheme to those who are registered and have a malfunctioning system to allow them to apply to the local authority for an inspection and to make them eligible for the grant in the event that they have to carry out works on their system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15573/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1547 to 1549, inclusive, together.

The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grant scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Inspection Plan, to require repair or upgrading. 

The Regulations provide that, subject to the applicant meeting all qualification criteria, a local authority may pay a grant to a person who is required, following an inspection, to undertake repairs or upgrades to, or replacement of, a septic tank or other domestic waste water treatment system. Applications for grant aid are administered by the local authority in whose functional area the particular domestic waste water treatment system requiring remediation is situated. The local authorities then seek recoupment of the amounts paid from my Department. Where a local authority pays a grant under the scheme, my Department will recoup to the local authority 100% of the amount paid.

Full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, are set out in the explanatory leaflet and application form published on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/domestic-waste-water-systemsseptic-tanks/domestic-waste-water-treatment-0.

The grants scheme ensures that the limited financial resources available are targeted towards householders, particularly those on lower incomes, who incur expenditure directly as a result of the inspection scheme. My Department is revising this scheme to better support the programme of measures in the finalised River Basin Management Plan 2018 - 2021 published today. The scheme is being extended in order to provide particular support to high status waters and areas identified for priority action in the River Basin Management Plan.

I have recently approved the establishment of a Working Group to conduct a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The review will focus on the actions required to improve and sustain rural water services and will consider issues such as governance, supervision and monitoring of the sector, in addition to capital investment priorities and requirements across all elements of rural water services, including domestic waste water treatment systems. The establishment of the Working Group is being undertaken in response to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services.

In its April 2017 Report the Committee recommended that, “the principles of equity of treatment and equivalent financial support should be applied equally between households on public water supplies and those availing of private water services”, and that my Department should conduct a review in consultation with relevant stakeholders “to quantify what additional investment will be required to equalise treatment between those availing of domestic water services and those availing of private services.” The review will consider how best to position and resource water services in rural areas so that they can contribute further to the development and long-term sustainability of a comprehensive and cohesive Rural Water Sector that will have the capacity to produce quality outcomes comparable to those available to customers of public water services.

The Terms of Reference of the review provide that there will be a two-strand approach to the considerations of the Working Group. Strand 1 will consider the composition and distribution of funding for the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme from 2019 up to 2021, while Strand 2 will consider the more complex longer-focus issues surrounding the long-term future resourcing of the Rural Water Sector. It is intended that by the end of July 2018, the Working Group will produce a summary report on Strand 1 of its deliberations which will outline the rationale for funding priorities for the next cycle of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme up to 2021. At that time the Working Group will also set out time frames for its consideration of and reporting on the more complex longer-focus (Strand 2) matters.

The organisations that are participating on the Working Group reflect the importance and wide ranging impact of the Rural Water Sector. In addition to my Department, the Working Group is to comprise the following other Departments and bodies: the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Health Service Executive, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and the County and City Management Association. It is expected that the Working Group will consult with other relevant stakeholders in respect of specific topics under consideration.

Householders who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the grant under the aforementioned Regulations and who wish to remediate or upgrade their on-site treatment systems may qualify for relief under the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme introduced pursuant to section 5 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2013. The HRI Scheme covers main residence repairs, renovations and improvements, including the repair or replacement of septic tanks. The Scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and full details are published on the Revenue Commissioners' website at www.revenue.ie.

Ceadúnas Imill Trá agus Dobharshaothraithe

Ceisteanna (1550)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1550. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil an bhfuil cás dlí á thabhairt nó an bhfuil bagairt dlí déanta in aghaidh na breithe ón Roinn ceadúnas imeall trá a cheadú d’Fhoras na Mara uimh. thag. FS006566 do láthair thástála gar don Spidéal i gContae na Gaillimhe; má tá, cén staid ina bhfuil cúrsaí; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [15575/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Fuair an Roinn seo páipéir dhlíthiúla ar an 29 Márta 2018. Ós rud é gur ábhar sub judice é seo, ní féidir liom aon rud eile a rá.

Barr
Roinn