Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
(Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision
of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin action to address
homelessness at a local or regional level. Section 10 funding provided by my Department in
this context relates to the recoupment of 90% of approved expenditure by housing authorities
on accommodation for homeless persons, with the balance being funded from housing authorities’
own resources. The HSE has responsibility for funding in relation to health and care
services for homeless persons. There are no alternative current funding streams available for
accommodation or operational issues relating to this service available from my Department.
Under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the Management Group of the
Homelessness Consultative Forum may make recommendations to housing authorities regarding
services to address homelessness and funding for such services, taking into account the
financial resources that are available or are likely to be available. I have no direct involvement
with individual services or operational matters on the ground. Any potential Section 10 funding
for this service is a matter for the Dublin Regional Homeless Consultative Forum which covers
the four Dublin local authorities.
Foreshore Licences
435. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and
Local Government in relation to a recent application (details supplied) for a foreshore licence,
the number of submissions that were received in the public consultation period; the duration
that he intends to deliberate on this application; and when he expects to make a decision.
[7875/12]
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan):
Almost 700 individual submissions and 4,100 petitions were received by my Department in
respect of the Providence Resources foreshore licence application during the public consultation
period that ended on 2 February 2012. It is intended to publish the submissions on my
Department’s website as soon as possible.
The licence application will be the subject of an environmental assessment by the scientific
and technical advisors on the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC). Their assessment
will involve a detailed examination of the application, related information and issues raised in
submissions received from the public and prescribed bodies, and the applicant’s responses to
those issues. I expect that the environmental assessment will consider potential impacts on
European sites, sensitive species, other legitimate uses within the area the subject of the application,
and navigation issues.
I will make a determination on the application in due course taking account of the recommendation
of the Marine Licence Vetting Committee and my Department.
Local Authority Charges
436. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local
Government if he has any proposals to enure that patients in long-term nursing care, even if
they entered such care after 1 January 2011, will not have to pay the household charge in 2012;
and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7876/12]
454. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local
Government the reason the household charge is applicable to persons who have been in nursing
home care for less than 12 months; the number liable for the tax under this condition; and if
he will make a statement on the matter. [8165/12]
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