Written Answers Nos. 259-278
259. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces assigned to her Department in percentage and absolute terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31750/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBreastfeeding mothers in my Department have access to secure and private rest rooms in four Departmental locations, some of which are shared with other Government Departments. These spaces are also available to staff who become unwell or to pregnant staff who may need to rest.
Mothers who return to work in my Department following maternity leave are advised of their entitlements to paid breaks to facilitate breastfeeding or lactation.
260. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning will continue to be granted to farmer family members if they are not the intended farmer, as many people can now work from home in other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31036/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring in his question to applications for planning permission for rural housing and in particular to applications by members of farming families who do not farm the landholding in which the site of the proposed house is located.
Under the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing and haphazard development, particularly in those areas near cities and towns that are under pressure from urban generated development.
The Guidelines identify four rural area types in respect of which planning authorities may formulate policies for ‘urban generated’ and ‘rural generated’ rural housing. Section 3.2.3 of the Guidelines suggests that in areas “under major urban influence”, planning authorities may define “rural generated” housing need for “Persons who are an intrinsic part of the rural community” and for “Persons working full-time or part-time in rural areas”.
The National Planning Framework (the NPF) provides an important strategic basis for interpreting the 2005 Guidelines. National Policy Objective (NPO) 15 of the NPF fully supports the concept of the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades, while simultaneously indicating the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns that are under strong urban influence and under pressure from uncoordinated and ribbon-type development, in order to avoid over-development of those areas.
National Policy Objective 15 is supplemented by National Policy Objective 19, which aims to ensure that a policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, and other remoter and weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and/or declining. NPF Policy NPO19 is intended to tie in with the generally established Guidelines approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time in the area) need may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines are framed in the context of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002. The reference to ‘working full or part time’ in rural areas, is stated to “normally encompass” persons involved in full-time farming, forestry, the marine or other resource-related occupations, as well as those whose work is “intrinsically linked to rural areas”. The 2005 Guidelines did not anticipate digital home working to the extent that is now possible.
Given the many technological and other changes in policy and in wider society since 2002/5, the superseding of the NSS by the National Planning Framework (NPF) in 2018, together with other factors, the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines now require updating, in a broader rural development and settlement context, taking into consideration factors that include home working.
My Department intends to bring forward updated and comprehensive Guidelines that will fully reflect NPF objectives and will bring clarity to the issue of rural housing. In the interim, the NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, enable planning authorities to continue to draft and adopt county development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas.
261. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the second bridge over the River Liffey for Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31451/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, which was launched earlier this year, Kildare County Council submitted an application seeking support for the project in question.
There were a large number of proposals received under Call 2, with every local authority submitting at least one application. Because of the nature of the URDF programme the proposals are very complex, and each requires detailed assessment.
The assessment process is in train at present, and it is intended that a new tranche of approved proposals, which will augment the existing pipeline of projects from Call 1 and contribute to the achievement of Programme for Government commitments and the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040, will be announced later in the year.
262. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made in designing, tendering and doing further works at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street in order that they are ready for opening to a limited amount of visitors at a time post Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31534/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am anxious to have the works to the national monument at Nos. 14 -17 Moore Street completed as soon as possible so that the buildings can be opened to the public to both resonate the mercantile, social and political heritage of the area as a 1916 commemorative quarter and to contribute to the overall rejuvenation of this part of the north inner city.
Officials from my Department and the Office of Public Works are liaising with the Chief State Solicitor's Office in relation to the conservation works and the related procurement process. There are particular complexities associated with procurement in this case because of the circumstances whereby the project to conserve the buildings to the highest standards and to have the 1916 Commemorative Centre open in time for the Centenary of the Rising was interrupted, holding works had to be carried out as a result and the fact that this is an old, delicate structure with very specific construction needs.
Funding for the completion of the 1916 Commemorative Centre has been sought under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund and a decision is awaited on this.
In the meantime, OPW continues to maintain and secure the national monument buildings.
263. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a Land Registry application by a person (details supplied); when this will be adjudicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31585/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra264. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a Land Registry application by a person (details supplied); when this will be adjudicated on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31586/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.
In relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to the specific cases referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at reps@prai.ie.
265. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received a formal report from Irish Water on the Achill Island water treatment plant; the proposed remediation works involved to rectify the capacity issue to avoid a repeat of elevated levels of aluminium and turbidity next summer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30918/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels and I have no function in relation to this matter, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 and therefore the issue of a formal report being sent to my Department does not arise.
However, my officials did maintain contact with Irish Water regarding the provision of safe drinking water on Achill Island during the summer. Irish Water informed my Department that the issues at the treatment plant were a result of the unusually high water demand due to an increase in visitors during the summer holiday period and increased water temperatures, and that over the period Irish Water, Mayo County Council, the HSE and the EPA maintained ongoing contact until the immediate issue was resolved.
I understand that some upgrade works have taken place at the Acorrymore Water Treatment Plant to prevent inadequately treated water being supplied to consumers in the future. Irish Water also cleaned all 18 reservoirs (to remove any residual aluminium sediment) before the 'Do not Consume' notice was lifted on Friday 4th September 2020.
In addition to these works, Irish Water and Mayo County Council are working together to devise a plan to ensure longer term measures are put in place to deal with increases in demand in the future.
The Government has committed to ambitious funding of Irish Water’s capital investment plans for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis. The Government plans to deliver the €8.5 billion funding package committed to in Project Ireland 2040. Prioritising the order of this work, and the associated investment, will need ongoing engagement between Irish Water and its regulators (the EPA and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities) to ensure an effective and efficient delivery of necessary water quality outcomes and to improve overall water-system resilience.
Finally, for further information in relation to specific projects Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
266. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter regarding the defective blocks scheme (details supplied); if he will review the terms of the scheme to allow for an energy upgrade in keeping with the most up-to-date standards; and if he will consult the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to allow persons who qualify for the defective blocks scheme to receive automatic access to Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI supports. [30964/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe remedial options provided for under the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme constitute a material alteration to an existing building. Any works that are beyond the requirements of the current building regulations for existing dwellings, or any works that are not required for or ancillary to the remediation of damage to the dwelling arising out of, or in connection with, the use of defective concrete blocks in its construction, while not prohibited, do not qualify for grant assistance under the scheme. In this context, energy upgrades beyond the requirements of the current building regulations for existing dwellings, do not qualify for grant assistance under the scheme.
Similarly, in line with Government policy on waste prevention and value for money considerations, the reuse, recovery and recycling of materials, is encouraged where possible. Costs associated with the unnecessary replacement of items such as windows, doors, kitchen units etc, do not qualify for grant assistance under this scheme.
There is no barrier to qualifying applicants engaging with SEAI to avail of any funding they may qualify for under the suite of schemes administered by that authority.
I have no plans to review the terms of the scheme at this time.
267. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the decision to use personal public service or PPS numbers in the compilation of the electoral register; when he expects the project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31105/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future – includes a number of commitments in relation to the modernisation of our electoral registration process including the use of PPSNs to verify identity.
The use of the PPSN in the context of the register will contribute to the ability of registration authorities to maintain accurate and complete electoral registers by ensuring that each person's record can be uniquely identified, thereby enabling improved management of individuals' details.
As well as the proposed use of PPSN's, the Government have also committed to other innovative reforms to underpin the modernisation process. These include, the creation of a rolling register, simplification of registration forms, and the roll out of optional online registration. Together, these reforms will simplify and streamline the entire process of registration making it easier for people to register to vote and update their details.
The implementation of these and related proposals is progressing and, in this regard, my Department is currently preparing the General Scheme of a Bill, which I intend to bring to Government shortly.
268. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current progress on the establishment of an electoral commission; when he plans to introduce necessary legislation concerning its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31106/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of an Electoral Commission is a key commitment in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, with the aim of a Commission being in place by the end of 2021. An Electoral Commission will bring together several electoral functions in an independent, dedicated public body.
The Electoral Commission’s establishment is guided by a number of recent reports and public consultation processes, including:
- the 2016 report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the Consultation on the Proposed Electoral Commission; and
- the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and public consultation concerning the establishment of an Electoral Commission, which was completed my Department in 2019.
My Department is currently preparing the General Scheme of a Bill which will give effect to the commitment to establish an electoral commission and I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly in this regard.
269. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to release funds to local authorities for the commercial rates waiver scheme that applied up to the end of September 2020; his plans to extend the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31107/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to waive commercial rates for businesses in the first quarter of 2021. [31760/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 290 together.
An initial three-month waiver of rates for businesses forced to close business due to COVID-19, was announced in May. In recognition of the fact that not only were many ratepayers forced to close business due to the public health requirements, but also many that remained open suffered significant reductions in turnover, the waiver was extended from three to six months until 27 September 2020. A 100% waiver was applied to all businesses with the exception of a small number of categories, mainly banks, utilities, large supermarkets and corporates. The rationale for the exclusion of certain categories of ratepayers is that their operations are not as severely impacted by the pandemic, coupled with the need to direct resources appropriately. €600m was allocated by Government to fund the cost of the six-month waiver, which takes the form of a credit in lieu of rates.
An initial allocation of funding relating to the waiver, is being paid to local authorities this week. The main allocation of funding will be made to local authorities following submission of the relevant claim forms from local authorities at the end of October. Claims relating to appeals from excluded categories are due at the end of November and the final allocation will be paid to local authorities following completion of that process.
In Budget 2021, the Government announced an extension of the waiver for the final quarter of the year (until end of December 2020) at an additional cost of €300m. The criteria for the extended waiver remains the same and it is intended that the waiver for the final quarter will be automatically applied to rate accounts that benefitted from the six-month waiver. A total of €900m has been allocated by Government to fund the cost of a waiver of commercial rates for nine months to the end of December, for eligible businesses. This unprecedented measure offers support to businesses and certainty to our local authorities. My Department is currently preparing guidance on the administration of the extended waiver for the final quarter.
270. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the Land Development Agency, LDA, and its capacity to accept freedom of information, FOI, requests in view of recent remarks in which it seems the LDA will now be subject to FOI. [31110/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2018, the Land Development Agency was established on an interim basis by statutory instrument under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, as amended, pending the enactment of primary legislation. On enactment, the LDA will be a commercial state body.
The LDA has been subject to FOI since March 2019 and deals with all such requests in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014. It is intended that it will continue to be subject to FOI following enactment of its primary legislation.
271. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Valuations Office is bringing parties from other counties to Dublin during level 3 restrictions for face-to-face hearings in view of the fact that these bodies have the facilities to convene such hearings remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31117/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am taking the reference in the question to be to the Valuation Tribunal rather than the Valuation Office, as the Tribunal is the independent appeal body established and operating under the Valuation Acts of 1988 and 2001 to deal with, inter alia appeals against decisions of the Commissioner of Valuation on the valuation of commercial properties for rating purposes.
The judgments made by the Valuation Tribunal influence directly the ability of both the business sector and local authorities to operate with fiscal certainty. In this context, the Tribunal is attempting to facilitate as many appeals as possible having regard to the necessary restrictions.
The Tribunal commenced hearing appeals remotely at the end of July 2020. These remote hearings are mostly quantum based rather than legal and are facilitated where, in the main, there is only one party attending from the appellant and the respondent.
The Tribunal is cognisant that not all appeals are suitable for disposal by remote hearing and has accordingly held a limited number of oral appeals with additional measures in place to protect the safety of all those who attend the hearing.
272. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Longford County Council has drawn down funding for Traveller accommodation in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31189/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLongford County Council has not recouped any capital funding from my Department for Traveller Accommodation in the past four years.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Reflecting the low level of overall funding drawdown in recent years, the Housing Agency, in 2017, commissioned a review of funding for Traveller-specific accommodation. This review had regard to targets contained in local authority Traveller Accommodation Plans (TAPs) and actual delivery, the current status of accommodation funded and funding provided for accommodation maintenance and other supports.
Following its consideration of the review, the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee recommended the establishment of an independent expert group to review the effectiveness, implementation and operation of relevant legislation and to put forward proposals to improve delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally. The Expert Group submitted its report in July 2019.
There are 32 recommendations in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report, including proposals aimed at:
- addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
- removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
- increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
- strengthening governance arrangements.
I plan to establish a dedicated Programme Board led by my Department and including all the necessary representatives to drive implementation of the Report. The work will be informed by input from key stakeholders, including those representing Travellers.
273. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the €40 million allocated in budget 2020 for the pyrite remediation and mica scheme for counties Donegal and Mayo; the estimated percentage breakdown in 2021 between pyrite and mica; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31193/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2020 provided an overall €40m to fund the Pyrite Remediation and Defective Concrete Blocks Grants Schemes broken down as follows: €20 million to fund the operation of the Pyrite Remediation scheme; and €20 million to fund the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme for the participating counties of Donegal and Mayo. Budget 2021 includes the same financial commitment for both schemes. Funding for future years will be agreed on an annual basis as part of the normal Estimates process.
274. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the €90 million funding in budget 2021 for housing supports in each category for the elderly, the Traveller community and persons with disabilities, respectively; the amount that will be allocated in each category to each local authority; when such funding will be provided to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31227/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2021 provides for an unprecedented level of funding to deliver housing programmes next year through an overall investment of €3.3 billion, an increase of €641m or 24% on 2020. This investment will ensure that the housing needs of over 28,500 households are met in 2021 and this will include the delivery of new social homes for people with a disability, older people and Travellers. In addition, my Department will fund a range of targeted schemes and initiatives specifically designed to support these households in 2021.
Over €20 million will be provided for a range of Traveller specific accommodation and extra measures to protect Travellers in response to Covid-19. This funding will also support the provision of social workers employed by local authorities to work with the Traveller community including in the area of homelessness prevention.
A funding package of in excess of €70 million will be available for the carrying out of home adaptation works for private and social homes, thereby facilitating people with disabilities and older people to continue to live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Funding of over €1 million will support initiatives for people with disability and for the continued implementation of the Joint Policy Statement on Housing Options for the Ageing Population. This will include the development of a new pilot scheme aimed at people aged 65 and older who are on a social housing waiting list or in a social housing property that is too big for their requirements.
My Department will work with local authorities to determine work proposals and related funding requirements in 2021 and funding will be advanced as projects are completed and claims fall due for payment. Further details in respect of the 2021 funding provision for housing programmes is set out in the Budget 2021 Expenditure Report which is available at the attached link:
http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2021/2021.aspx
275. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timelines for the duration of the study by the National Parks and Wildlife Service for research into the survival and behaviour of hares released into the wild after being rescued from hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31230/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish hare [Lepus timidus hibernicus] is listed on Annex V of the E.U. Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] and is also protected under the Wildlife Acts [1976 and 2000]. The species is considered to be in favourable conservation status.
Hare coursing in Ireland is administered by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) which is a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Statutory responsibility for the Act resides with the Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Licences are required by the ICC under the terms of the Wildlife Acts to facilitate the capture of hares and the tagging of hares for closed park meetings. Hares are netted in advance of coursing meetings and then kept in dedicated hare parks for a period of several weeks. After coursing they are released again in to the wild.
A contract for the provision of research into the movement and survivorship of hares after coursing is due to be awarded shortly; the tendering process is already complete. This research will examine the survival and movement of hares after coursing and compare the results with a cohort of hares that have not been coursed.
Fieldwork is expected to begin in December or January. Hares will be fitted with state-of-the-art GPS collars allowing their movements to be tracked for up to 6 months. Following collar retrieval analyses of the resulting data will begin in summer 2021. Final delivery of all tasks, including the preparation of a scientific paper on relevant findings from the study, is required by March 2022. If Covid-19 restrictions prevent field surveys from being completed, an extension to the contract in 2022 may be necessary.
276. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legislation that underpins the policy whereby a person with an interest in a former family home can avail of social housing supports, for example, housing assistance payment, HAP, and rental accommodation scheme, RAS, but can never be allocated social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31236/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to be eligible for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) support and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), a household must first qualify for social housing support and be placed on a housing list. Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
In relation to previously owned homes or existing co-owned properties, under Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and Regulation 22(1) of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, a household shall be ineligible for social housing support if it has alternative accommodation that the household could reasonably be expected to use to meet its housing need, either by occupying it or by selling the accommodation and using the proceeds to secure suitable accommodation suitable for the household’s adequate housing. However, Regulation 22(2) of the 2011 Regulations provides that this ineligibility does not apply where an applicant for social housing support owns accommodation that is occupied by his or her spouse, from whom he or she is formally separated or divorced. Under the enactment, a deed of separation is sufficient to set aside this ineligibility ground and it is not necessary to await judicial separation or divorce to get a decision on social housing support in these cases. The rationale for this exception is that the terms of a formal separation or divorce will provide for the future ownership and occupation of the family home and it will be clear whether the household that has left the family home can return to live there.
In order to provide more flexibility to local authorities to deal with cases where the ownership of the family home had not yet been finalised, the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 amended section 20 of the 2009 Act and local authorities may now provide such households with social housing support under the Rental Accommodation Scheme or the Housing Assistance Payment scheme until ownership of the family home is resolved in a formal separation or divorce settlement.
The 2014 Act amendment provides that support in these circumstances will be reviewed by the local authority at prescribed intervals and the household will not be able to transfer to other forms of social housing support while ownership of the family home remains to be determined. However, where the household ultimately qualifies for the full range of social housing supports, the length of time the household was supported under RAS or HAP will be reckonable for the purposes of determining the household’s relative priority for a transfer.
277. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amounts claimed in expenses and travel claims of the Irish Water board since the establishment of Irish Water on an annual basis per board member; and if the same details will be provided in respect of companies (details supplied) since 2015. [31290/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEstablished in 2013, Irish Water is a subsidiary of Ervia. In the period 2013 and 2014, the Board of Irish Water included non-executive Directors as well as executive Directors; these are senior executive employees of Ervia or Irish Water. Expenses and travel claims only arise in relation to the non-executive Directors and amounted to €6,007.04 in this period and details are set out in the table below. In the period 2015 to date, the Board of Irish Water is an executive only Board. No expenses or travel claims were paid to executive Directors in their duties as Directors of the Irish Water Board in the period 2013 to date.
|
Irish Water Board |
Amount paid in respect of expenses including travel claims in 2013 and 2014 |
|
Margaret Rae |
€939.23 |
|
Regina Finn |
€3,477.74 |
|
Sean Kelly (deceased) |
€1,124.62 |
|
Billy Moore |
€465.45 |
In the period 2017 to date, details of the expenses (including travel claims) paid to members of the Ervia Board are outlined in the Annual Report of Ervia, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The expenses (including travel claims) paid to members of the Ervia Board for the period 2015 to 2016 are set out in the following table.
|
Ervia Board |
Amount paid in respect of expenses including travel claims in 2015 |
Amount paid in respect of expenses including travel claims in 2016 |
|
Rose Hynes |
€2,376 |
|
|
Sean Hogan |
€3,562 |
€5,293 |
|
Tony Keohane |
€353 |
|
|
Chris Banks |
€203 |
|
|
Keith Harris |
€1,006 |
In relation to Aurora Telecom, this is a dormant subsidiary of Ervia and is a business unit of Gas Networks Ireland. The Directors of Aurora Telecom are senior executive employees of Ervia. As such no expenses or travel claims were paid to these Directors in their duties as Directors of Aurora Telecom in the period 2015 to date.
278. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made on implementing the Moorhead report; his plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31448/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future has a commitment to "implement the Moorhead Report on the Role and Remuneration of Elected Members within 12 months". Meeting this commitment is a priority within my Department with the aim of ensuring that councillors are properly supported to carry out their important functions and effectively represent local communities.
In the Foreword to her final report on the Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members, Ms Moorhead expressed the wish that "this report will be used to initiate a discussion of the role of the Councillor in Irish Society". I welcome the fact that such discussions are underway. In that context, a number of meetings have taken place between my colleague, Mr. Peter Burke TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, and councillor representative associations. That important engagement will continue.
Any changes to elected members' remuneration will require new regulations under section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, which must be given effect with the consent of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Contact has been established between officials in my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in that regard.
