Written Answers Nos. 364-377
364. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 913 of 10 July 2018, the legislation upon which he is basing the policy of a capped percentage of places via open recruitment. [44375/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recruitment of local authority staff is governed by primary legislation and regulations. Under Section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001, the appropriate Minister may declare qualifications of such classes and descriptions as he or she thinks fit for a specified employment under a local authority, or for such of the employments as belong to a specified class, description or grade. The Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926 Local Authorities (Declaration of Offices) Order 1999 specifies the offices, senior executive engineer and above, that fall to be filled by the Public Appointments Service.
The common recruitment pool system, which has been in operation for more than 30 years, provides for the filling of posts at grades IV to VII in local authorities and other relevant agencies by competition confined to local authorities, the Health Service Executive, Education and Training Boards, Institutes of Technology and certain other health and local government agencies. The “Towards 2016” Agreement provided for the implementation of arrangements whereby 20% of the posts at grades V to VII and 50% of posts at Grade IV would be filled by open competition. Specialist posts would continue to be filled by open competition only. Posts above Grade VII are also filled by open competition. Under the “Towards 2016” Agreement the implementation of the provisions regarding the common recruitment pool, CRP, is a matter for each relevant sector where the pool operates.
The Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, is currently engaging with the relevant unions and staff interests, with a view to reviewing the common recruitment pool process.
366. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the safety certificates his Department has received in respect of funfairs in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44441/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 239 (4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires that the owner of fairground equipment shall not make it available to the public unless such equipment has a valid certificate of safety. Section 239 (7) states that a person who intends to hold or organise a funfair, other than at a place where the operation of funfair equipment has been authorised by a permission under the Planning Acts or is not otherwise an unauthorised use, shall give two weeks' notice, or such other period of notice as may be prescribed, in writing to the local authority in whose functional area the funfair is to be held. The notice referred to shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of safety for the fairground equipment to be used at the funfair and shall give details of the names of the organiser of the funfair, the owner or owners of the fairground equipment to be used at the funfair and the location and dates on which the funfair is to be held. Certificates of Safety are returned annually to my Department in accordance with Section 8 (3)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Certification of Fairground Equipment) Regulations 2003. Certificates for 2018 will be available in 2019. The 2016 and 2017 Certificates received by my Department for funfairs are listed, by county of inspection, in the table below:
|
County |
2017 |
2016 |
|
Cavan |
7 |
8 |
|
Clare |
8 |
|
|
Cork |
11 |
75 |
|
Donegal |
26 |
30 |
|
Dublin |
76 |
50 |
|
Galway |
4 |
8 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
|
Kildare |
25 |
23 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
|
Laois |
4 |
13 |
|
Limerick |
6 |
17 |
|
Louth |
7 |
8 |
|
Meath |
37 |
34 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
38 |
10 |
|
Roscommon |
13 |
32 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
48 |
46 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
44 |
4 |
|
Total |
352 |
373 |
367. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is monitoring the quantity of land identified by local authorities as vacant for the purposes of the vacant site tax; the quantity, number and acreage of land identified by each local authority as vacant; the number of vacant sites in which the owner has been informed; the number of vacant sites in which the owner has yet to be informed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44452/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy, which is a measure 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. Planning authorities must issue notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 November this year in respect of vacant sites included on their respective registers on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019.
While all 31 local authorities have established vacant site registers, not all registers have been populated to date as some local authorities are undertaking the necessary preparatory work in this regard, i.e. identifying qualifying vacant sites, their registered owners and commissioning the market valuations of such sites. As required under the Act, the planning authority must enter certain information on the register in relation to a vacant site, including name and address of owner, the folio reference, as appropriate, the market value together with the date of entry on the register.
My Department does not maintain a central register of vacant sites as each local authority administers the vacant site register in respect of their own functional area. As provided for under the Act, the register in respect of each local authority is available for inspection at its offices and online on its website.
On foot of a recent review of the on-line vacant site registers across all local authority areas, there are collectively almost 270 individual sites currently on the local registers. Over 150 of these sites were entered on the local vacant site registers on 1 January 2018 and will therefore be subject to the levy in 2019, unless development works are activated in the interim.
My Department has actively engaged with local authorities in relation to the implementation of the vacant site levy in order to ensure a consistent application of the levy provisions across all city and county areas and to facilitate the sharing of best practice. My Department has provided guidance and advice and also organised three separate information seminars for local authorities, the most recent of which, in May 2018, was attended by officials from every local authority.
My Department will continue to monitor implementation of the levy to ensure that it is being effectively applied, in line with its intended purpose of incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas. To support this work, my Department issued Circular PL 06/2018 on 3 October 2018. Part 3 of this Circular requested a progress report on implementation of the vacant site levy to be completed by the Director of Planning in each Local Authority and returned to the Department by 31 October 2018.
368. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 11 October 2018, the minimum energy rating a boiler must hold for it to be allowed to be installed in new homes here or as a replacement in existing homes. [44458/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations apply to the design and construction of a building and certain works to an existing building. The minimum performance requirements that a building/works must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts classified as Parts A to M. Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Energy, sets out the requirements in relation to the energy efficiency of boilers.
Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the building regulations in practical terms. TGD L contains guidance, compliance with which will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part L.
Part L, Conservation of Fuel and Energy – Dwellings requires that for new dwellings, all oil and gas fired boilers shall meet a minimum seasonal efficiency of 90%. Where oil and gas fired boilers are installed as replacements in existing dwellings they shall meet a minimum seasonal efficiency of 90% where practicable.
I will shortly be publishing an update to Part L of the Building Regulations, for dwellings, to achieve the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive NZEB performance requirements. When implemented, it will represent an improvement of 70% in energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance over 2005 standards for all new dwellings commencing construction from early 2019, subject to transition arrangements.
The Directive defines a Nearly Zero Energy Building, or “NZEB”, as a building that has a very high energy performance and that the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby.
My Department has progressively updated Part L of the Building Regulations, relating to the Conservation of Fuel and Energy in Dwellings, over the last decade in order to improve the energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance of all new dwellings to achieve Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) performance levels. These incremental improvements have effectively eased the transition and minimized the additional effort required to achieve the NZEB performance for dwellings.
369. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the €1,335,887,000 capital allocation in the housing division Vote 34 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department's vote for 2019 by specific project in tabular form; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44528/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the €661,911,000 capital allocation in the water services division Vote 34 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department's vote for 2019 by specific project in tabular form; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44529/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the €12,486,000 capital allocation in the local government division Vote 34 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department's vote for 2019 by specific project in tabular form; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44530/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra372. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the €94,806,000 capital allocation in the planning division Vote 34 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department's vote for 2019 by specific project in tabular form; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44531/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra373. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of the €7,500,000 capital allocation in the Met Éireann division Vote 34 of the budget 2019 expenditure report within his Department's vote for 2019 by specific project in tabular form; the projects that will be commenced in 2019; the projects that will be completed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44532/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 369 to 373, inclusive, together.
The table gives details at programme level of the estimated capital expenditure by my Department in 2019, on the basis of the financial provision made for my Department in Part III, Estimates for Public Services, of Budget 2019: Expenditure Report, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The table does not include additional capital funding that will be available for housing purposes from local property tax receipts in the amount of some €77 million in 2019. Information in relation to particular projects being financed from these allocations will become available as appropriate at a later stage as part of ongoing programme management and delivery.
|
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT - VOTE 34 GROSS CAPITAL ALLOCATIONS 2019 |
|
|
€000 |
|
|
A - HOUSING |
1,335,887 |
|
ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
1,887 |
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING |
747,471 |
|
CAPITAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME |
94,875 |
|
COMMUNAL FACILITIES |
500 |
|
MORTGAGE TO RENT |
23,000 |
|
CAPITAL ADVANCE LEASING FACILITY |
94,400 |
|
TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION & SUPPORT |
13,000 |
|
ESTATE REGENERATION/REMEDIAL WORKS |
71,750 |
|
ENERGY EFFICIENCY- RETROFITTING |
30,454 |
|
REPAIR AND LEASING SCHEME |
38,000 |
|
PRIVATE HOUSING GRANTS |
57,000 |
|
MORTGAGE ALLOWANCES |
600 |
|
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND |
130,000 |
|
PYRITE RESOLUTION BOARD |
32,000 |
|
RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES BOARD |
950 |
|
B - WATER SERVICES |
661,911 |
|
ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
941 |
|
WATER QUALITY PROGRAMME |
8,300 |
|
RURAL WATER PROGRAMME |
23,000 |
|
FORESHORE |
670 |
|
IRISH WATER |
622,000 |
|
LEAD REMEDIATION/DEVELOPER PROVIDED INFRASTRUCTURE |
7,000 |
|
C - LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
12,486 |
|
ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
811 |
|
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES |
11,175 |
|
FRANCHISE |
500 |
|
D - PLANNING |
94,806 |
|
ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
861 |
|
AN BORD PLEANÁLA |
460 |
|
URBAN RENEWAL/REGENERATION |
76,000 |
|
ORDNANCE SURVEY IRELAND |
985 |
|
LAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY |
16,500 |
|
E - MET EIREANN |
7,500 |
|
ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
6,000 |
|
FLOOD FORECASTING AND WARNING SERVICE |
1,500 |
|
TOTAL CAPITAL |
2,112,590 |
374. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the €560,000 capital allocation in the Property Registrations Authority (details supplied) within his Department for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced and completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44533/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in the table.
|
PRA ICT Capital Expenditure 2019 |
|||
|
Nature of Project |
Detail |
Commencement |
Spend Budgeted in 2019 |
|
ICT Hardware |
Security appliancesPCs/laptops/monitorsPrinters/scanners |
This represents ongoing replenishment of key ICT hardware |
€219,000 |
|
ICT Software |
Upgrade/redevelopment of in-house case processing and digital mapping systems |
Commenced in 2018. This is a three year project. |
€308,000 |
|
ICT Software licences |
Additional Microsoft/DataPro/Network licences |
Purchase of licences |
€33,000 |
375. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the €250,000 capital allocation in the valuation office (details supplied) within his Department for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced and completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder programme B of Vote 16, administration service for the valuation tribunal, the capital allocation of €250,000 is earmarked for the redevelopment and implementation of additional ICT facilities in relation to the valuation tribunal, the independent body that determines appeals from valuations carried out by the commissioner of valuation. It is intended to deploy the allocation on improving the overall technical infrastructure within the tribunal, including networks and servers, and on developing a new computerised database and online services.
376. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist go mbeidh an tacaíocht chéanna ar fáil do na Naíonraí Gaelacha agus atá ar fáil do Chomhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta chun gur féidir leis na Naíonraí Gaelacha an réimse tacaíochta céanna a chur ar fáil do naíonraí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht agus a chuireann Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta ar fáil taobh istigh den Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44281/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs trí mhaoiniú ón Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige agus Foras na Gaeilge araon a chuir Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta tacaíocht ar fáil do na naíonraí Ghaelacha go dtí lár 2014. I mí Iúil 2014, aistríodh an cúram sin chuig Gaeloideachas nuair a ceapadh é mar cheanneagraíocht chun plé le gaeloideachas, tumoideachas agus réamhscolaíocht lán-Ghaeilge.
Cuireann Foras na Gaeilge maoiniú ar fáil do Ghaeloideachas chun na cúraimí sin a chur i gcrích ach tuigtear dom nach bhfuil maoiniú á chur ar fáil ón Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige níos mó.
Tuigim ó Fhoras na Gaeilge go ndearnadh iarratas cuimsitheach leis an Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige anuraidh i ndáil le maoiniú a chur ar fáil do na naíonra Gaelacha agus go bhfuiltear ag leanúint suas ar an iarratas sin.
377. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the breakdown of staff in her Department by grade. [44351/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tables below show the breakdown of the 653, 625.39 Full Time Equivalent, staff and equivalents in my Department as of 30 September 2018.
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary * |
4 |
|
Principal Officer |
21 |
|
Ministerial Special Advisers |
2 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
48 |
|
Professional and Technical AP equivalents |
56 |
|
Administrative Officer |
4 |
|
Professional and Technical AO equivalents |
81 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
72 |
|
Conservation Rangers |
64 |
|
Executive Officer |
97 |
|
Clerical Officer |
84 |
|
Service Officer |
16 |
|
Civilian Drivers |
2 |
|
Industrial Grades |
101 |
|
Total |
653 |
* includes An Coiminiséir Teanga
