Wednesday, 1 Oct 2014

Written Answers Nos. 156 - 180

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Fund for Students with Disabilities

Questions (156)

Joe Costello

Question:

156. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, for the period September 2012 to August 2014, the institutions that have received funding via the fund for students with disabilities; the amount each institution has received; the number of students the funding is in relation to at each institution; the number of undergraduate students for which the institutions are receiving funding who are studying courses, including HND courses, of less than two years' duration at each institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37300/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The following table shows the grant allocated to Higher Education Institutions (HEI) under the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) in the period from September 2012 to August 2014, the academic years 2012-13 and 2013-14. This table also provides details on the number of beneficiaries.

In order to be eligible for support under the FSD a student must be enrolled on an approved courses. Approved courses are full-time undergraduate courses of not less than two years duration or full-time postgraduate courses of not less than one year duration. There are no students supported under the FSD in any HEI studying undergraduate courses of less than two years in duration.

Institution	Funding allocated 2012-13 €)	Number of Beneficiaries 2012-13	Funding allocated 2013-14 (€)	Number of Beneficiaries 2013-14
Dublin City University	235,352	309	419,249	398
National University of Ireland, Galway	501,908	407	495,214	419
National University of Ireland, Maynooth	289,055	397	398,133	441
Trinity College Dublin	592,028	724	550,000	786
University College Cork	597,748	605	613,275	664
University College Dublin	321,051	686	388,025	826
University of Limerick	453,038	360	420,000	387
Athlone Institute of Technology	282,758	144	372,351	171
Cork Institute of Technology	243,518	328	243,518	392
Dublin Institute of Technology	572,819	641	615,375	673
Dundalk Institute of Technology	65,000	77	120,000	89
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology	699,791	332	647,836	376
Institute of Art, Design & Technology	134,531	156	180,000	180
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown	196,085	118	111,571	50
Institute of Technology Carlow	186,642	230	137,111	233
Institute of Technology Sligo	114,514	171	100,000	158
Institute of Technology Tallaght	56,938	48	75,000	58
Institute of Technology Tralee	116,542	90	80,339	97
Letterkenny Institute of Technology	250,528	134	327,179	134
Limerick Institute of Technology	482,519	200	509,956	229
Waterford Institute of Technology	306,748	293	306,748	315
Mary Immaculate College	62,445	20	70,000	18
Mater Dei Institute of Education	23,437	13	34,887	16
National College of Art and Design	80,722	83	72,631	88
St. Angela's College	28,600	18	40,314	32
St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra	29,290	11	19,044	17
All Hallows College	15,670	1	-	0
Carlow College (St. Patricks)	69,590	35	73,382	44
Law Society of Ireland	5,174	1	-	0
Marino Institute of Education	11,300	6	10,250	7
National College of Ireland	158,975	99	156,000	98
Shannon College of Hotel Management	10,700	10	4,988	9
St Patrick's College, Thurles	8,800	8	3,563	8
Total	7,203,816	6,755	7,595,939	7,413

School Accommodation

Questions (157)

Michael Creed

Question:

157. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made by her Department towards the elimination of rented prefabricated classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37307/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that as part of my Department's large scale school building programme, prefab accommodation continues to be replaced with modern, high quality permanent accommodation on an on-going basis as part of major building projects in schools. In addition, since July 2008, schools allocated devolved funding for the provision of additional classroom accommodation must utilise this funding to construct a permanent structure where the need for the accommodation is long term, typically for a period in excess of three years.

The Deputy will also be aware that under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiatives announced in 2012 and 2013, approval was given to 216 schools to replace 614 prefab units with permanent accommodation. Replacing prefabs is part of the Government's €475 million education infrastructure plan for 2014. This has reduced the reliance on rented prefabs in schools.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the overall policy goal of my Department is to ensure the highest standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. In the context of a rapidly increasing school population, my Department's priority is to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and in this regard, it is sometimes necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet the accommodation needs of schools. In that regard, it is not possible to indicate when it will be possible to replace all rented prefabs in schools as the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (158)

Billy Timmins

Question:

158. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available in her Department to assist families in assisting children with dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37311/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that all schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs, including Specific Learning Disability (SLD), of which dyslexia is one such Specific Learning Disability.

All mainstream Primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model (GAM) to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs, including SLDs. It is a matter for individual schools to use their professional judgement to identify pupils who will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils. Schools are supported in this regard by the National Educational Psychological Services.

All Post Primary schools have also been allocated additional teaching resources for pupils with high incidence special educational needs, including SLDs.

My Department has provided guidelines for schools in relation to the utilisation of additional teaching resources which have been allocated to them for pupils with high incidence special educational needs. These include Circular SpEd 02/05, Inclusion of Pupils with Special Educational Needs Post Primary Guidelines and the National Edcuational Psychological Services (NEPS) Continuum of Support Guidelines.

My Department provides funding for a number of special schools and special classes attached to mainstream primary schools which have been sanctioned to meet the needs of children with SLDs. There are 4 Special Schools and 12 Special Classes attached to mainstream Primary schools catering for pupils with SLD.

An information resource pack on dyslexia in CD-Rom, DVD and video format, has been developed by my Department in association with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. This product has been made available to all primary and post-primary schools. The DVD and video provides support for parents of pupils with dyslexia while the CD-Rom assists teachers who are teaching children with dyslexia in the mainstream classroom.

Further resources provided to schools to support pupils with dyslexia include special arrangements at state exams, funding towards the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers and/or software as well as additional training for teachers who support children with Dyslexia, through the Special Education Support Service (SESS).

School Transport Provision

Questions (159)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

159. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37313/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest national school and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

In general, children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions that are detailed in the scheme. However, in this case, Bus Éireann has advised that the existing service is operating to capacity.

The family should continue to liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Dundalk (Tel. No. 042-9355065) regarding the future availability of school transport on a concessionary basis.

School Transport Provision

Questions (160)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

160. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37314/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

In relation to school transport provision, ethos relates to religious ethos and is in the context of provision for minority religions.

Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest post primary centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

In general, children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions that are detailed in the scheme.

In this regard, the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Dundalk (Tel. No. 042-9355065) regarding the availability of school transport on a concessionary basis.

Capitation Grants

Questions (161)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

161. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of not reducing the capitation grant to primary and post-primary schools by a further 1% as proposed in budget 2012, to be implemented this year. [37316/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Budget 2012 provided for a 2% reduction in the funding for capitation and related grants in both 2012 and 2013 and a further1% reduction in 2014 and 2015.

The 2015 element of this multiannual savings measure will result in an estimated saving of €3.3 million per annum.

Capitation Grants

Questions (162)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

162. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of not reducing the capitation rates for VTOS, YouthReach, BTEI, PLC and adult literacy by a further 1% as proposed in budget 2012, to be implemented this year. [37317/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The cost of not implementing the proposed 1% reduction, referred to by the deputy, for the VTOS, Youthreach, BTEI, PLC and Adult Literacy programmes this year is estimated at €200,000.

Third Level Charges

Questions (163)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

163. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of not increasing the higher education student contribution by €250 to €3,000. [37318/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The position is that the student contribution is payable by students who qualify under my Departments Free Fees Schemes. The Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees, through my Department's free fees schemes, in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students. It is estimated that some 129,200 students qualified for free fees in the 2013/14 academic year at a cost of some €310m. Some 50% of students who qualify for free fees have the student contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer under my Department's Student Grant Scheme which is estimated to have cost some €126m for the 2013/14 academic year.

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (164)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

164. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of full implementation of the EPSEN Act. [37319/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

A number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act have been commenced. However, in light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of EPSEN.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) had suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's opinion is that the level of investment required could be greater.

The NCSE recently provided comprehensive policy advice to my Department on how the education system can best support children with special needs. This advice will guide the preparation of a plan on how aspects of EPSEN can be implemented, including prioritising access to an individual education plan, and developing a new resource allocation model for schools.

Special Educational Needs Data

Questions (165)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

165. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils within the education system who are entitled to special needs assistants in schools; and the number of SNAs that are allocated to them. [37320/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school. Where children have significant care needs whereby they may need additional support to be able to attend school, the NCSE may make an allocation of SNA support to the school to assist that child.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

To date, the NCSE has allocated over 10,900 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts to schools supporting students with special educational needs for the 2014/2015 school year. As the SNA allocation process is still ongoing, the exact numbers of SNAs and pupils being supported will become clear following the finalisation of enrolments of students in mainstream schools as at 30th September.

Should a school wish to make an application for additional SNA support for a child who was not previously considered for SNA support or who is due to enrol to a school, they may do so to the NCSE.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

I will arrange for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply to the Deputy in respect of information regarding the number of pupils supported by SNAs in the 2014/15 school year, in line with its role in the allocation of SNAs to schools.

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (166, 167)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

166. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reinstating the five hours of special needs assistant support received by children with special needs from the cut rate of three hours and 45 minutes; and the number of extra SNAs that would be needed in order to implement a policy of five hours of support. [37321/14]

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

167. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children accessing resource hours in schools; and the number of extra resource teachers that would be needed to ensure that all children accessing resource hours received the maximum of five hours of resource support. [37322/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been no reduction to the amount of time which may be allocated to pupils in respect of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support or any limitation on the amount of time that an SNA may spend with a child who has been granted access to SNA support by the NCSE. There has also not been any reduction to the overall number of SNA posts which may be allocated to schools. On the contrary, the number of posts which may be allocated to schools increased from 10,575 posts to 10,965 posts for 2014.

Once SNAs have been allocated to schools, the deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The total number of Resource Teaching posts which the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) may allocate to schools to support children with special educational needs for the 2014/15 school year is presently set at 6,225 WTE posts.

This is more posts than has ever previously been made available to the NCSE to allocate to schools and shows that there not been a reduction to the overall number of posts being allocated to schools for resource teaching support. The figure of 6,225 posts 2014/15 should be compared with 5745 posts for 2013/14, and 5265 posts for the 2012/13 school year.

Over 35,000 pupils are being supported by resource teaching hours allocated to schools by the NCSE this year, while allocations are still being made to schools in respect of late applications.

No reduction was made to the amount of resource teaching time allocated to schools, per pupil for either the 2014/15 or the 2013/14 school year.

In order to provide an additional 15% allocation, to return the allocation rate for individual applications to the level which was in place at the 2010/11 year, based on the number of posts expected to be allocated to schools by the NCSE for the current school year, it is estimated that this would require an additional 1098 Resource teaching posts, at an initial teacher salary rate of €49.4m per year.

Departmental Reports

Questions (168)

Niall Collins

Question:

168. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the report on configuration and development of post-primary schools in Limerick city, Croom and Pallaskenry in the period from 2014 to 2024; if she will provide a copy of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37353/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that it is anticipated the review of the configuration and development of post-primary provision for Limerick City and part of its environs will be made available shortly.

School Transport Provision

Questions (169)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when Bus Éireann expects to restore free school transport in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37382/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupil in question resides closer to the school in County Meath than the school in County Offaly and therefore is not eligible for school transport.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil in question is currently availing of transport on a concessionary basis.

The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.

School Transport Provision

Questions (170)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when Bus Éireann expects to restore free school transport in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37384/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest school and therefore is not eligible for school transport.

In general, children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions that are detailed in the scheme. However, in this case, Bus Éireann has advised that the existing service is operating to capacity.

The family should continue to liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Athlone (Tel. No. 090 6473277) regarding the future availability of school transport on a concessionary basis.

The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.

Property Tax Rate

Questions (171)

Alan Farrell

Question:

171. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if paragraph 3 (a) of Part 4 of the Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) Regulations 2014 means that local property tax rates, where they have been reduced by a local authority, will revert back to the full pre-reduction rate after a period of one year or if local authorities will have the ability to reduce the local property tax rate year on year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37362/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Effective from 1 July 2014, local authorities may vary the rate of Local Property Tax (LPT) in their administrative area for the following year by up to 15% of the basic rate of the Tax. This is the maximum allowable variation that can be applied by any local authority and is referred to as the "local adjustment factor" (LAF). The decision must be taken by resolution of the Council and must be notified to the Revenue Commissioners by 30 September in order to apply for the following year. As the LAF applies to one year only, the rates revert back to the basic rate in subsequent years at which stage the matter is considered afresh.

There are certain factors that local authorities are legislatively bound to take into account when deciding whether or not to vary their LPT rates for a given year (expected income & expenditure, accumulated assets and liabilities and the impact of any variation on their local area). The decision is not one that can be taken without considering the financial implications as it will have a direct impact on the level of funding available to local authorities and, therefore, on their ability to discharge their statutory responsibilities.

The Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) Regulations 2014 set out the process for local authorities who wish to vary their LPT base rates, including the factors that they must consider and the type of public consultation that they should undertake as part of that process. Guidance has also been issued to local authorities concerning matters relating to these Regulations: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/FileDownLoad,38336,en.pdf.

The power to vary LPT rates has been given to local authorities to further increase their autonomy. Elected members are already responsible for finalising the annual budget of the local authority – it is a reserved function for them – and the power to vary LPT rates will enable them to directly influence the level of LPT income they have to meet their expenditure requirements in the future.

Water Charges Administration

Questions (172)

Pat Deering

Question:

172. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provision that has been made for supply of water to community and voluntary swimming pools of charitable status which previously benefited from free water from their local authority. [37230/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Community/voluntary swimming pools would be classified as non-domestic customers. The existing arrangements for all non-domestic customers are remaining in place with no changes for the time being. On this basis, any arrangement charitable or voluntary groups have with their local authorities will remain, and the local authorities will continue to bill for non-domestic water services as agents of Irish Water. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) will be reviewing all aspects of non-domestic water tariffs under a series of public consultations. The CER is expected to commence this process in 2015.

Irish Water Administration

Questions (173, 174)

Finian McGrath

Question:

173. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water is a private registered company; if this is the case, the way a private company is able to access names and address of each householder here; the way this company is able to install water meters without written agreement or contract between parties; if he will confirm if this is not a breach of the data protection law thus violating every householder's rights to privacy and protection by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37258/14]

Finian McGrath

Question:

174. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a unit of water, water meters and personal public service number (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37260/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group, to be formed and registered under the Companies Acts. Section 5 of the Act provides that the shareholders of Irish Water are Ervia (formerly Bord Gáis Éireann), the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Finance. Section 46 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 prohibits the shareholders from disposing of their shareholding in Irish Water, which in effect places a statutory prohibition on the privatisation of Irish Water.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water is responsible for public water services and that it shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. In accordance with section 72 of the Water Services Act 2007, Irish Water may require any consumer of water services provided by it to take their supply through a water supply meter.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers of Irish Water. Yesterday, the CER issued its determination on the water charges plan submitted to it by Irish Water. This plan sets out the charges to be levied by Irish Water on customers in receipt of water services provided by it, including the unit price for water supply and wastewater. Full details are available on the CER’s website (www.cer.ie).

The Water Services Act 2013 assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that, as the meter boxes are not sealed, it is possible for a customer to access the meter to verify readings if necessary. Householders with a meter installed will be provided with a reading of their meter as part of their bill and any unusual usage patterns can be discussed with Irish Water if the householder is concerned.

Under the Water Services Acts 2007-2013, Irish Water may request its customers and certain specified persons or bodies, including the Minister for Social Protection, to provide it with information so that the Company can perform its functions under these Acts.

In advance of the introduction of domestic water charges, the Government made certain decisions on 6 May 2014 relating to the structure of water charges including, inter alia, a free allowance per household and an additional free allowance for children on the same qualifying conditions as the Child Benefit payment from the Department of Social Protection. As these allowances are to be funded by Government, Irish Water needs to ensure it has the appropriate and sufficient information to reflect these entitlements. Irish Water is a specified body under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended by Section 20 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014, and is therefore permitted to request PPS numbers to authenticate the identity of the person being provided with an allowance.

In relation to data protection issues, I refer to the reply to Questions Nos 550, 571, 580, 581, 587 and 594 of 30 September 2014. The position is unchanged.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (175)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

175. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37282/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2014, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, provide for gross expenditure of €889.2 million in respect of my Department in 2014, including capital carryover of €72m. Gross expenditure by my Department to end of August 2014, broken down across subheads, is set out in the following table.

In relation to 2011-2013, following audit by his Office, the Comptroller and Auditor General publishes, as part of the annual Appropriation Accounts, a detailed report broken down to subhead level on funds expended by my Department; these reports are available on http://www.audgen.gov.ie/. It may be useful to note that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform publishes a range of historical data on its Databank website, http://www.per.gov.ie/databank/, which provides comprehensive historical data on expenditure across all Departments to sub-head level. It draws on data published in the Appropriation Accounts, the Revised Estimates Volumes and other sources.

TABLE A Vote: 25 ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

-	Allocation	Aug-14
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (end of August) 2014	€,000	€,000
V25 - NET CAPITAL	307,135	21,800
V25 – GROSS	360,500	67,663
A – HOUSING	273,071	46,041
A.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	246	139
A.3 - LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING	80,000	477
A.4 - VOLUNTARY & CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING	40,925	4,157
A.5 - SOCIAL INCLUSION	3,000	543
A.6 - ESTATE REGENERATION - SOCIAL HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS	109,400	26,713
A.7 - PRIVATE HOUSING GRANTS	38,600	13,290
A.8 - SUBSIDIES AND ALLOWANCES	899	426
A.9 - OTHER SERVICES	1	296
B - WATER	33,869	3,596
B.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	149	84
B.3 - WATER SERVICES INVESTMENT PROGRAMME	6,007	937
B.4 - RURAL WATER PROGRAMME	27,713	2,575
C - ENVIRONMENT & WASTE MANAGEMENT	10,510	3,066
C.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	235	132
C.3 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY	1,375	675
C.4 - ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION POLICY	400	268
C.7 - LANDFILL REMEDIATION	8,500	1,991
D - LOCAL GOVERNMENT	11,255	4,428
D.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	255	144
D.4 - FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES	8,000	2,969
D.5 - LOCAL AUTHORITY LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE SERVICE	1,000	781
D.7 - OTHER SERVICES	2,000	534
E - COMMUNITY & RURAL DEVELOPMENT	28,183	10,356
E.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	84	48
E.5 - RAPID	1,900	83
E.6 - DORMANT ACCOUNTS MEASURES	2,006	127
E.8 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES	383	77
E.9 - LEADER RURAL ECONOMY SUB-PROGRAMME 2007-2013	1	1,927
E.10 - PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION	21,516	6,670
E.11 - INTERREG PROGRAMME	2,293	1,424
F - PLANNING	512	7
F.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	12	7
F.3 - AN BORD PLEANÁLA	500	0
G - MET ÉIREANN	3,100	169
G.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	3,100	169
V25 - APPROPRIATIONS IN AID	53,365	45,863
V25 - CAPITAL CARRYOVER	72,000	65,967
A.3 - LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING	15,000	8,967
A.4 - VOLUNTARY & CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING	7,000	7,000
E.9 - LEADER RURAL ECONOMY SUB-PROGRAMME 2007-2013	50,000	50,000
V25 - OVERALL GROSS(i.e. including Capital Carryover)	432,500	133,630
V25 - OVERALL NET (i.e. including Capital Carryover)	379,135	87,767

Vote: 25 ENVIRONMENT,COMMUNITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

-	Allocation	Aug-14
CURRENT EXPENDITURE 2014	€,000	€,000
V25 - NET (CURRENT)	431,746	267,854
V25 - GROSS	456,723	280,099
A - HOUSING	302,762	182,198
A.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY	8,773	5,662
A.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	1,528	701
A.3 - LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING	180,500	105,852
A.4 - VOLUNTARY & CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING	55,000	41,378
A.5 - SOCIAL INCLUSION	49,260	24,520
A.8 - SUBSIDIES AND ALLOWANCES	5,000	2,371
A.9 - OTHER SERVICES	2,701	1,714
B - WATER	10,045	4,146
B.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY	5,582	3,602
B.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	929	476
B.5 - FORESHORE	3,500	68
B.6 - OTHER SERVICES	34	0
C - ENVIRONMENT & WASTE MANAGEMENT	24,165	16,259
C.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY	6,088	3,930
C.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	1,457	746
C.3 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY	14,573	10,185
C.4 - ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION POLICY	2,000	1,396
C.8 - OTHER SERVICES	47	2
D - LOCAL GOVERNMENT	13,469	9,751
D.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY	8,986	5,804
D.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	1,585	835
D.3 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND	1	0
D.4 - FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES	792	255
D.5 - LOCAL AUTHORITY LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE SERVICE	1,200	392
D.6 - FRANCHISE	300	118
D.7 - OTHER SERVICES	605	2,347
E - COMMUNITY & RURAL DEVELOPMENT	75,259	45,857
E.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY	4,780	3,090
E.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	524	330
E.3 - SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR (NAT LOTT)	10,875	8,142
E.4 - LOCAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (NAT LOTT)	47,707	30,426
E.6 - DORMANT ACCOUNTS MEASURES	3,450	514
E.7 - WESTERN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION	1,521	1,117
E.8 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES	3,400	1,652
E.10 - PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION	2,280	168
E.12 - TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION	1	1
E.13 - IRISH WATER SAFETY	657	417
E.14 - OTHER SERVICES	64	0
F - PLANNING	15,773	12,046
F.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY	1,591	1,031
F.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	74	64
F.3 - AN BORD PLEANÁLA	12,000	8,420
F.4 - PLANNING TRIBUNAL	1,998	2,496
F.5 - OTHER SERVICES	110	35
G - MET ÉIREANN	15,250	9,842
G.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY	12,500	8,703
G.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY	2,750	1,139
V25 - APPROPRIATIONS IN AID	24,977	12,245

Water Charges Exemptions

Questions (176)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

176. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will instruct Irish Water to waive all wastewater charges for the households in the locations listed in Appendix B of the Environmental Protection Agency’s report Focus on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2012 that have no treatment or preliminary treatment only, including ten urban areas in County Cork, seven in County Donegal, five in County Clare, four in County Galway and Arklow in County Wicklow, until an operational sewer system and-or treatment plants have been delivered in these areas by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37301/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water is responsible for public water services and can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. If a customer is in receipt of a wastewater disposal service from Irish Water, they will be charged accordingly.

The Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 provide for the authorisation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of discharges from waste water treatment plants that are released to all types of receiving waters. In the case of discharges from smaller sewage systems, certificates are issued instead of licences. The licences stipulate conditions and remedial actions to be taken to ensure compliance with standards for various substances and conformity with obligations under a number of EU environmental Directives. The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 provided for the transfer of the licences and certificates issued to water services authorities to Irish Water and Irish Water is now required to meet any conditions and to carry out remedial actions required therein.

Election Management System

Questions (177, 178, 179)

Micheál Martin

Question:

177. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the electoral process for Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37323/14]

Micheál Martin

Question:

178. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that the criteria for selection of nominees to the Seanad are satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37324/14]

Micheál Martin

Question:

179. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied to allow the by-election for the vacancy in the Seanad to go ahead on 10 October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37325/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together.

Provisions for elections to Seanad Éireann are set out in Article 18 of the Constitution, in the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 and the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947. These Acts make provision for the nomination of candidates for general elections and bye elections having regard as necessary to the provisions in the Constitution. On 2 September 2014 I made an order directing that a bye election be held to fill the vacancy in the Seanad caused by the election of Deirdre Clune to the European Parliament. The poll at the bye election will close at 11.00am on Friday 10 October 2014.

The Government plans for reform of Seanad electoral law are well documented. In February 2014 the General Scheme of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014 was published for consultation.  The General Scheme is part of the legislative process to implement the 1979 constitutional amendment to extend the Seanad franchise to graduates from institutions of higher education in the State that heretofore did not form part of the Seanad university constituencies. The Statement of Government Priorities published in July 2014 provides for the enactment of this legislation.  The Government Legislation Programme for Autumn 2014 provides for the publication of the Bill in 2015.

Irish Water Administration

Questions (180, 182)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the contact Irish Water has had with the Data Protection Commissioner; the way Irish Water posted its data protection notice on its website without first clearing this with the Data Protection Commissioner; and if he will ensure that a compliant data protection notice is posted well in advance of the closing date for the public to return their application forms to Irish Water. [37346/14]

Terence Flanagan

Question:

182. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the register Irish Water is using to obtain the names and addresses of persons to send their information packs to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37356/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 182 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 550, 571, 580, 581, 582, 587 and 594 of 30 September 2014. The position is unchanged.

• Written Answers Nos. 131 - 155
• Written Answers Nos. 181 - 200