Annual Report 1999  · Web viewAnnual Report 2004 Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Annual Report 2004 © Government of Ireland 2005. PRN A5/1780. ISSN

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Annual Report 2004

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Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Annual Report 2004

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Mission statement

To promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life through protection of the environment and heritage, infrastructure provision, balanced regional development and good local government.

© Government of Ireland 2005

PRN A5/1780.

ISSN 1649-4148

Design : Desktop Publishing Unit, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

The document (English and Irish language version) is available on the Department's website : http://www.environ.ie

Copies of this document may be obtained from the :

Quality Customer Service Officer,Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1.

LoCall : 1890 20 20 21Tel : 01 - 888 2091Fax : 01 - 888 2888Email : [email protected]

This document is also available in Braille (on request).

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Annual Report 2004

Contents

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Foreword by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

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Part 1 Secretary General's Statement 7

Main Achievements and Initiatives in 2004 9

Part 2 Progress on the Statement of Strategy 2003 - 2005 16

Environment 17

Heritage 31

Planning 39

Local Government 44

Housing 49

Supporting the Provision of Infrastructure and Local Services 56

Resourcing and Managing the Department 61

Serving Our Customers 67

Part 3 Appendices 73

Appendix 1 : Legislative Activity 74

Appendix 2 : Publications 80

Appendix 3 : Financial Statements 83

Appendix 4 : Organisation Chart 89

Appendix 5 : Location of the Department's Main Offices 91

Appendix 6: Contact Details 92

Appendix 7: Agencies 95

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Foreword by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

I welcome this seventh Annual Report under the terms of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The report charts the progress the Department made in 2004 in implementing the objectives outlined in our Statement of Strategy 2003-2005. The extent of our achievements across an extremely diverse range of responsibilities is something of which we can be proud and I wish to thank the staff for their efforts over the year. The report also gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of local authorities and our agencies in delivering the Department’s objectives.

In 2004:

The Department contributed significantly to the success of Ireland’s 6th Presidency of the European Union and pursued an ambitious and wide-ranging programme across the Union’s internal environmental policy as well as leading EU participation internationally.

We saw national housing output exceeding all previous records with almost 77,000 units completed. Record funding provided by the Exchequer saw continued delivery of strong social and affordable housing programmes to the benefit of over 13,000 households. Progress was made on driving innovative solutions to the delivery of Affordable Housing and I look forward to additional progress in this area following the more recent establishment of the Affordable Homes Partnership.

April saw the launch of the National Waste Prevention Programme, developed by the EPA, with the aims of deliver substantial results on waste prevention and minimisation.

In July the Government approved a new initiative to rationalise the State’s response to long-term housing needs. Under the new Rental Accommodation Scheme local authorities will use a range of measures to provide good quality and affordable accommodation for an estimated 30,000 social welfare rent supplement recipients who have to date been supported under the social welfare system.

The adoption of Regional Planning Guidelines by all Regional Authorities was a significant development in progressing the objectives of the National Spatial Strategy

Significant progress was made on a number of initiatives across the built and natural heritage. The National Monuments Acts were amended to clarify consent procedures with regard to works affecting national monuments and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) undertook a new publishing initiative with all NIAH surveys now published on the very attractive website www.buildingsofireland.ie. New surveys for Counties Waterford, Wicklow, Leitrim and Roscommon were pubished in 2004.

The Department was centrally involved in detailed preparations for the European Parliament and Local Elections and the Referendum on the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution on Citizenship which were held on 11 June 2004.

One of my priorities as Minister is to see greater emphasis on quality customer service throughout the local government sector. As a Department we have a responsibility to show good example in this area. The Department’s Customer Service charter was published in 2004 and sets out the level of service that our customers can expect from us.

Since I came into this office in September 2004 I have been impressed by the dedication of the staff and the achievements which we have made as a team. We have an ambitious programme of work still ahead

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of us and I look forward to our continued delivery of our objectives which, after all, affect the quality of life of every citizen in the country.

Dick Roche, T.D.,Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

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Part 1 Secretary General's Statement

This is the second and final Annual Report under the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2003 – 2005, in accordance with the requirements of the Public Service Management Act 1997. A new Strategy Statement was published in early 2005 setting out the challenges facing the Department over the 3 years 2005-2007.

Supporting Ireland’s 6th Presidency of the European Union was the major focus of activity by the Department and its environment partners in the environment area in the first half of 2004.

The significance of waste management and waste enforcement in particular has been underscored by the establishment of the Office of Environmental Enforcement, with its particular focus on waste issues and the commitment of substantial funding from the Environment Fund specifically for local authority waste enforcement programmes, and ensuring that the waste sector is regulated in an effective manner.

National climate change policy and legislation were progressed to enable Irish companies to participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Participation by the Irish trading sector in the pilot phase of trading within the EU from 1st January 2005 is an important preparatory step in meeting Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions limitation target under the Kyoto Protocol.

Good progress continued to be made in 2004 in meeting our obligations under the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive with Ireland's compliance rate in relation to secondary treatment of wastewater rising to 90% by the end of 2004 and with all remaining schemes required to achieve full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2004 - 2006.

In 2004 significant progress was made in the provision of infrastructure as provided for in the National Development Plan 2000- 2006. Housing output reached and all time high with almost 77,000 units completed with output from the local authority and voluntary sector meeting the needs of 12,000 households. €480.2 million was provided in grants for the improvement and maintenance of the regional and local roads network and combined with the investment from local authorities’ own resources, it is estimated that approximately €630 million was spent in total on non-national roads in 2004.

During 2004, the Department continued to actively promote the use of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for the provision of infrastructure and services within the local government sector. PPP schemes completed or substantially completed in 2004 include the Dungarvan Sewerage Scheme and the South Tipperary Waste Water Treatment Scheme. A contract for the re-development of Fatima Mansions was signed in June 2004 and construction is underway. The re-development of O’Devaney Gardens complex in Dublin and the construction of affordable housing units at Infirmary Road and Jamestown Road were also approved to proceed as PPPs.

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 implements the vast majority of the recommendations of the 2000 report of the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) established on a statutory basis on 1st September 2004 provides a dispute resolution service for private sector tenants and registered landlords, operates the new tenancy registration system and performs a range of monitoring, research, information and policy advice functions in relation to the private rented sector.

Work continued in 2004 in promoting balanced regional development on foot of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) with the most significant development being the adoption of Regional Planning Guidelines by all Regional Authorities.

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During the year, the Department was active in supporting and strengthening local government. The new structural framework within which local government operates – Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and County and City Development Boards (CDBs) – continued to develop in 2004. Guidelines were issued to each of the county and city councils regarding the re-establishment and more effective operation of the SPCs and CDBs following the June local elections.

A wide-ranging review of local government financing commenced in 2004, with a view to its completion this year. The enhancement of accrual based financial management systems continued during 2004 with the completion of the changeover to full balance sheet accounting. These initiatives are designed to enhance financial efficiency, accountability and value for money in local authorities.

The report of the Customer Service Group on service indicators in local authorities was published in January 2004. Arising from this, the local government sector will report annually, from 2005, on its performance across the range of its services.

The Department was centrally involved in the preparations for the June 2004 European Parliament and Local Elections and the Referendum on the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution on EU Citizenship. The enactment of the European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Act 2004 gave statutory effect to the revised constituencies, as recommended by the Constituency Commission’s 2003 Report. Draft legislation to implement the Commission’s recommendations in relation to Dail constituencies which was at an advanced stage at the end of 2004 was enacted in early 2005.

Part 2 of this Report provides a detailed description of progress on the achievement of our objectives and the implementation of our key strategies as identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003 - 2005; and Part 3 contains a number of appendices including details of our legislative and publishing activities as well as our financial statements.

In conclusion I would like to record appreciation to staff of the Department for their exceptional commitment and support throughout 2004.

Niall CallanSecretary General

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Main Achievements and Initiatives in 2004

There have been significant achievements in the areas of operation of the Department in 2004. Some of the main achievements are summarised below.

Housing

Almost 77,000 housing units were completed in 2004, with the same level anticipated for 2005. Included in this was the provision of over 12,000 units of social and affordable housing and it is anticipated that the needs of over 13,000 households will be met in 2005.

The provision of social and affordable housing during 2004 was achieved through a number of targeted schemes as follows;

Over 4,500 units of accommodation were provided under local authority housing construction programme. Exchequer and non-exchequer expenditure on the programme and various regeneration programmes was just over €867 million. At the end of 2004 work was in progress on a further 7,400 units.

1,607 units of accommodation were provided by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector with funding amounting to €183 million in 2004. At the end of 2004 work was in progress on over 2,100 units and there were a further 6,400 units at various stages of development at local level throughout the country.

In 2004, the Department reimbursed local authorities, €45.73 million for expenditure incurred in the provision of accommodation for homeless persons.

Some €35.69 million was expended on the provision of Traveller specific accommodation (group housing and halting sites) in 2004. A further €2.94 million was recouped to local authorities in 2004 for expenditure on management and maintenance of halting sites. The Department also recouped to local authorities €2.71 million in respect of 90% of the salaries and expenses of Social Workers employed by local authorities and working with Travellers.

€73 million was made available in 2004 for the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes. Almost 7,300 persons benefited from these grants in 2004 and it is anticipated that a similar number will benefit in 2005.

In July 2004 a special programme was introduced for the installation of central heating in existing local authority rented dwellings, which lacked such facilities. Grants totalling €12 million were paid by the Department in 2004 enabling work to be undertaken on 2,900 homes. A sum of €30 million is being provided by the Department as its contribution to the scheme in 2005.

Under the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative a number of dedicated structures were put in place in 2004 to monitor progress and to ensure that Government commitments are met.

In July 2004 a new initiative was announced whereby local authorities will, over a four-year period, progressively assume responsibility for accommodating supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) rent supplement recipients of eighteen months or more continuous duration with a long-term housing need.

The introduction of 5 year Action Plans in 2004 covering all social and affordable housing

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programmes by local authorities provides a strong basis for a strategic and measured approach to housing investment. 17 action plans were approved by the Department in 2004 and the remainder were approved in the first half 2005. A mid term review of the plans is scheduled for 2006.

Water Services

Compliance with the 2005 targets in the EU Urban Wastewater Directive, which stood at 25% at the start of the NDP period, had risen to 90% at the end of December 2004.

EPA Report on Drinking Water Quality for 2003 states that the overall quality of drinking water in Ireland is generally very high with an overall compliance rate of 97.7% in the case of public schemes.

The contribution of the Serviced land Initiative to record levels of new housing output. At the end of 2004, 213 individual SLI schemes, providing water services for 154,500 new dwellings, were either completed or in progress. This exceeds the original SLI target of 100,000 sites by over 50% with schemes to service a further 45,000 sites due to start in 2005.

At December 2004, the increase in wastewater treatment capacity provided since 2000 was equivalent to the needs of a population of 3 million - seven times greater than the entire increase (394,000) over the previous NDP period of 1994 to 1999. Over the same period, additional drinking water treatment capacity, equivalent to the needs of a population of 578,000 was provided.

To achieve the end 2006 EU deadline for eliminating substandard water supplied by group schemes infrastructural solutions are being advanced urgently to provide stand-alone water treatment & disinfection equipment for 240 group schemes, to connect 142 schemes to local authority mains and to have a further 47 schemes taken into public charge.

In a unique partnership between the public and private water supply sectors in County Monaghan involving 3 County Council water supply schemes and 10 large group water schemes, water treatment and disinfection facilities are being provided under a single Design, Build, Operate (DBO) contract. The selected contractor will operate and maintain the treatment plants for a period of 20 years. 6 plants were completed in 2004 and work was well advanced on the 2 remaining schemes. At the end of 2004, some 234 group water schemes were participating in bundled DBO projects, spread across 18 counties and covering almost 40,000 rural households

Water leakage in Dublin reduced from 42.5% to 28.7%; in Donegal from 59% to 39%; in Meath from 47% to 34%; and in Kilkenny from 45% to 29%.

The launch in 2004 of the Project Control System (PCS) for water infrastructure projects is intended to improve the management and delivery of projects through their various stages. The PCS is a structured management approach to optimise the speed and efficiency with which water infrastructure projects are progressed.

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Waste Management

In waste management, we are moving towards achieving EU-specified targets for recycling and for diversion from landfill. The latest data shows that the proportion of household and commercial waste diverted from landfill in 2003 was 28% - up from 13% in 2001 - as against a target of 35% to be achieved by 2013.

The number of recycling facilities increased from 426 in 1995 to 1,767 in 2004

The Plastic Bag levy has had a dramatic impact on consumption of disposable plastic bags, the reduction in use is estimated at over 90%. Receipts collected by the Revenue Commissioners realised €13.5m in 2004.

In one of the main waste streams, packaging waste, a successful Producer Responsibility Initiative (PRI) enabled us to achieve the EU target of 25% recovery by 2001 and we are on line to achieve the 2005 target of 50%. Further PRIs are in place in the Construction and Demolition waste sector, about to be implemented in the Electric and Electronic Equipment sector and under negotiation in relation to end-of-life vehicles, tyres and newsprint.

Non-National Roads

In the period 2000-2004, total expenditure of almost €2.1 billion was 17% ahead of profile - actual expenditure in the BMW Region was almost €865 million while actual expenditure in the SE Region was almost €1.23 billion. In 2004 alone approximately €630 million was spent on non-national roads.

A Pavement Condition Study carried out in 1996 identified that 47,000 kms of the non-national road network were deficient at that time. From 1997 to the end of 2004 it is estimated that over 34,000 kms or 73% of the deficient network has been restored. Investment has significantly reduced the occurrence of potholes and road disintegration.

The Government’s “Action on Housing” programme included provision for a new budget line for strategic non-national road projects which would, inter alia, support residential and other related developments. 49 schemes in 15 local authorities have been approved for funding. To date in 2005, work has been completed on 18 schemes, progress is continuing on a further 18 schemes and 13 schemes are at various stages of planning. It is estimated that these critically important schemes, which are situated on the country’s regional roads network, will facilitate the provision of over 44,000 housing units and benefit over 900 hectares of industrial land.

The EU Co-Financed Specific Improvement Grants Scheme for works on non-national roads is important for employment and economic activity. Total expenditure in 2004 on this scheme was €93.177m. Works undertaken include widening, re-alignment works etc.

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Heritage

Natural Heritage Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) were advertised in respect of major river systems such as the

Boyne/Blackwater, the Barrow/Nore, the Suir and the Slaney to support the conservation of salmon and other aquatic species

The number of visitors to the manned visitor centres of Muckross House (Killarney National Park), Glenveagh Castle (Glenveagh National Park), Connemara National Park and Coole Park (both in Galway) reached almost 280,000. A much larger number would have visited the open spaces of the National Parks and Nature Reserves around the country.

3,725 licences for the 2004/2005 season were issued Under the Wildlife Acts, 1976 and 2000.

Built Heritage Conservation and restoration works and provision of visitor facilities and experiences at over 750

national monuments and historic properties.

The capital investment programme in State properties continued under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 - 51 capital built heritage projects including conservation/restoration of Palm House, Botanic Gardens, Dublin, improved visitor facilities at Scattery Island, Dunmore Caves, Ferns Castle, Boyle Abbey, Sligo Abbey, Rock of Dunamase, Co. Laois. Recently commenced - Pearse Museum, St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham.

Planning

Planning authorities handled around 95,000 planning applications in 2004 as against some 56,000 in 1997.

On planning enforcement, 10,176 complaints were made to planning authorities in 2004. 67% of these resulted in warning letters, 30% resulted in enforcement procedures and 7% resulted in successful prosecutions.

Funding of €17.38 million was provided to 211 projects under the EU co-funded Urban and Village Renewal Programme. This programme, operated in conjunction with local authorities, supports the targeted development and rejuvenation of specific city, town and village areas

During 2004, the 5 cities and 38 major towns continued to benefit under the 1999 Urban Renewal Scheme. As of end-June 2004, the estimated total value of projects completed was €962 million, work in progress was valued at €2,440 million and projects in planning were valued at €2,406 million. It is projected that overall investment under this scheme will amount to €5.8 billion, with over 1,000 projects being undertaken.

100 towns around the country also continued to benefit under the 2000 Town Renewal Scheme. As of end-June 2004, it is estimated that the total value of projects completed was €95 million, work in progress was valued at €97 million, and projects in planning were valued at €352 million. It is projected that overall investment under this scheme will amount to nearly €544 million, with over 900 projects being undertaken.

There was increased development in the 13,000 metres of street in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford designated for the purposes of the 2001 Living Over the Shop Scheme (LOTS). From an initial slow start, by end-June 2004, there were approximately 90 LOTS projects either completed, in progress or being planned, involving the delivery of an estimated 433 new and refurbished residential units.

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The EU/Exchequer funded Urban and Village Renewal Measure of the Regional Operational Programmes, which run from 2000 to 2006, again reported strong progress to the end of 2004. Grants to Local Authorities totalling €16.114 million, funded some 143 urban and rural projects.

Progress was also maintained during 2004 under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2000-2004 in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties (Peace II). Grants totalling €6.597m were paid to the 6 County Council-led Task Forces in the border counties, which are responsible at local level for the delivery of three specific measures of the Programme – “Building

Better Communities”, “Improving Our Rural Communities” and “Marketing the Region as a Tourism Destination”.

In 2004, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority awarded a contract for the building of a pedestrian bridge over the river Liffey to the east of the Talbot Memorial Bridge. Since completed in 2005, this bridge is an important link between the north and south quays.

The 2004 Tidy Towns Competition, organised by the Department and supported by national sponsors SuperValu, attracted nearly 700 entries. Lismore, County Waterford was named as the Tidiest Town in 2004. Of additional interest was the launch of the Tidy Towns' Race Against Waste initiative, which ran in parallel to the main competition and was won by Carlow town.

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Local Government

A Review of the operation of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) in local authorities was completed in 2004. The recommendations from the Review were included in guidance which the Department issued to local authorities in respect of the re-establishment of SPCs following the June 2004 local elections.

In June 2004, the Department published a booklet entitled ‘Local Government and the Elected Member’. This provides an up-to-date overview and practical guide to the modernised local government system and was distributed to incoming councillors following the local elections.

The Department published separate National Codes of Conduct for Councillors and Local Authority Employees in 2004. These Codes formed the final element in the new comprehensive ethics framework for local government which was introduced in 2003.

In 2004, independent evaluations were completed of the pilot local authority social inclusion unit programme and the pilot community warden service. As a result of these evaluations, and pending a review of their future operation, it was decided to fund both pilot programmes for a further year.

In January 2004, the Department published the results of the review by the Local Government Customer Service Group (comprising representatives from the Department, local authorities and the Institute of Public Administration) on the operation of service indicators in local authorities. The Group’s report provided the basis for a process that would, for the first time, see the local government sector report in 2005 on its performance across the range of its services.

In order to assist local authorities with the preparation of their corporate plans, the Department issued Guidelines for Local Authorities in the Preparation of Corporate Plans 2004-2009 in July 2004. The Guidelines were drawn up by the Local Government Customer Service Group.

Local authorities’ current expenditure further increased in 2004, to over €3.6bn – up from €2.3bn.in 2000. Of this amount, the Department provided €752m from the Local Government Fund - an increase of 14% over 2003 and several times the rate of inflation for the period

As part of the modernisation and renewal process under the Local Government Modernisation Programme, the Department, in partnership with local authorities and the Local Government Computer Services Board, completed the changeover to accrual accounting with new financial management systems in all local authorities. These new financial management systems provide significantly enhanced capabilities and management information which will contribute to enhanced efficiency, accountability and value for money in local authorities

Elections/Referendum

The Department was centrally involved in detailed preparations for the European Parliament and Local Elections and the Referendum on the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution on EU Citizenship which were held on 11 June 2004.

The European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Act 2004 implemented the Constituency Commission’s recommendations in relation to the European constituencies. The revised constituencies applied for the June 2004 European elections. Draft legislation to implement the Commission’s recommendations on changes to the Dáil constituencies was at an advanced stage of preparation at the end of 2004.

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Libraries

Seven new public libraries opened in 2004, at Ashbourne, County Meath; Castlepollard and Athlone, County Westmeath; Westside, Galway City; Lady Lane, Waterford City; Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, and Templemore, County Tipperary. This was a record number of new public libraries in any one year.

Fire Services

Expenditure in 2004 under the Fire Services Capital Programme was €19.2 million. This enabled fire authorities to:

- complete 5 fire station projects, bringing to 144 the number of fire station projects funded since 1980,

- commence construction of 4 new fire stations,- take delivery of 20 new fire appliances together with some other vehicles and emergency

equipment,- invite tenders for 23 new fire appliances, and- advance the Computer Aided Mobilisation Project (CAMP) towards completion and

commissioning stage.

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Part 2 Progress on the Statement of Strategy 2003 - 2005

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EnvironmentObjective

To promote and protect a high quality natural environment, protect human health and secure the integration of environmental considerations into economic and sectoral policies.

The Department continued to promote and protect a high quality natural environment in 2004. The need to sustain efforts towards this objective was emphasised in the EPA report Ireland’s Environment 2004. That report notes that despite the positive signals for the environment in recent years much more progress is needed on issues such as eutrophication, waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The activities of the Department and its partners and key stakeholders including agencies, local authorities, the private sector and members of the public all contributed to further progress being made in 2004 towards the achievement of this environment objective.

Supporting Ireland’s 6th Presidency of the European Union was the major focus of activity by the Department and its partners in the environment area in the first half of 2004. An ambitious and wide-ranging programme was pursued focusing on the Union’s internal environmental policy and legislative programmes, the environmental contribution to the European Council’s annual review of the Lisbon Agenda and EU participation in international environmental meetings.

Significant progress was made in 2004 in addressing the waste challenge through the accelerated roll-out of waste management infrastructure, investment in awareness and development of prevention and recycling measures. The enforcement of waste legislation has been greatly helped by the establishment of the Office of Environmental Enforcement, with its particular focus on waste issues.

National climate change policy and legislation were progressed in 2004 to enable Irish companies to participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Participation by the Irish trading sector in the pilot phase of trading within the EU from 1st January 2005 is an important preparatory step in meeting Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions limitation target under the Kyoto Protocol.

Although the North South Ministerial Council continued in suspension in 2004, engagement and cooperation in a number of environment related areas were advanced.

The Department articulated Ireland’s position on nuclear policy at international meetings and legal action on Sellafield continued during the year.

The recognition in the National Development Plan 2000–2006 (NDP) of the importance of facilitating necessary development, while not generating unacceptable environmental costs, lies at the heart of the ongoing work on the provision and maintenance of water services infrastructure. The forthcoming Water Services Act will underpin continuing improvement of performance standards in the water services sector. Ongoing roll-out of the Government’s water services pricing policy framework will help to root investment in improved water services infrastructure in sustainable environmental principles.

Details of the activities undertaken in implementing the key strategies identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003-2005 for this objective are outlined below.

Key Strategies

Providing and maintaining policies, programmes and a legislative framework for the protection and, where necessary, improvement of environmental media and the satisfactory management and reduction of waste.Significant and accelerated progress was made in key areas of waste management in 2004. Developments included:-

The launch in April of two new policy statements – “Waste Management: Taking Stock and Moving Forward” and “National Overview of Waste Management Plans”- to mark the completion of the first five years of the integrated waste management strategy. Taking Stock and Moving Forward details the progress made during the period 1998 and 2003 and also contains a series of key actions including the provision of an

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additional €25 million in funding for new recycling facilities and the country’s first National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste. In addition, local authorities were directed to initiate the process of reviewing their waste management plans as required under Section 22 of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended).

The move from flat rate waste charges to pay-by-use continued in 2004 with full implementation scheduled for 2005.

The payment of grants amounting to almost €28 million to local authorities under the Waste Management Infrastructural Capital Grants Scheme. The Scheme, which was launched in 2001 as part of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, is funded from national and European Regional Development Fund sources and includes projects such as bring banks, composting facilities, materials recovery facilities and civic amenity sites. The number of bottle banks in the State has increased from around 830 in 1998 to 1,800 in December 2004. There are now 61 civic amenity sites around the country.

The allocation of €7 million to local authorities in 2004 to offset the rising operational costs associated with bring banks and civic amenity sites, an increase of €2 million on the 2003 allocation.

Continued growth in private sector investment in waste management. In many areas the waste collection service is now provided by private companies. Investment in capital infrastructure by the private sector also continued. Planning permission was obtained and waste licence applications were at an advanced stage in respect of proposed thermal treatment facilities in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork and Carranstown, Co. Meath. The procurement process for the proposed thermal treatment facility for the Dublin region was also at an advanced stage.

The allocation of €1 million to support the ten waste management planning regions in addressing the awareness objectives identified in Taking Stock and Moving Forward’. These included the need to extend the very successful national ‘Race Against Waste’ campaign to local level, creating a better awareness of the provisions of the waste management plan for the area and the key role it plays in supporting the overall “Race against Waste” and the progress being made on the plan’s implementation.

The Department has the lead role in co-ordinating the activities of Government Departments in relation to the former Irish Ispat steelworks site at Haulbowline, Co. Cork. Cork County Council are acting as the Department’s agents in managing the site. Consultants are currently scoping an intrusive site investigation which will identify the scale and nature of contamination and the options for remediation. Procurement of the investigation has also started. A tendering process was also carried out in relation to other necessary site works for the removal of steel-clad buildings and remaining machinery on site. When the investigation and reports are completed, they will provide the information which will enable the Government to decide on the remediation strategy and long term use of the site.

The overall trends highlighted in the National Waste Database 2003 Interim Report, published in December 2004, are positive and the report indicates that municipal waste recycling increased from 21% in 2002 to 28% in 2003. In 2004 work continued apace in developing and expanding producer responsibility initiatives for specific waste streams in order to increase recycling rates. At year’s end, discussions were continuing with relevant stakeholders on the development of producer responsibility initiatives for end of life vehicles, newsprint and tyres.

The Market Development Group, comprising representatives of relevant private and public sector interests, was established in July 2004 to develop and drive a Market Development Programme aimed at realising the full resource value of all reclaimed recyclable material and developing innovative outlets to use and obtain optimum value for what we recycle. The Programme will initially focus on those materials and markets likely to yield early and substantial success. It will aim to identify new applications and markets for recyclables and secondary recycled products. Funding of €1 million was provided in 2004 from the Environment Fund to finance start up costs and research projects.

The National Waste Prevention Programme, launched on 5 April 2004, is one of a number of initiatives outlined in the Agreed Programme for Government and the policy statement Delivering Change which focus on waste prevention and minimisation. The draft multi-annual Programme, developed by the EPA, aims to deliver substantive results on waste prevention and minimisation and will integrate a range of initiatives addressing education and awareness measures, technical, training and financial assistance, and incentivisation mechanisms. €2 million from the Environment Fund was provided for the Programme in 2004.

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The Government Taskforce, set up to draw up recommendations and proposals for implementing the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive, published a draft report in April 2004. This report examined the issues surrounding implementation of the Directive and made a number of recommendations in relation to the collection, recycling, financing, regulation and reporting arrangements that need to be put in place in advance of free take-back of electrical waste, which will commence in August 2005. The publication of the report was followed by a public consultation process, the results of which fed into the preparation of legislation.

Draft Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plans were developed by the Department on foot of recommendations from two sub-committees of the National Construction and Demolition Waste Council, a body established to promote the recycling of this waste stream. The draft guidelines, published for public consultation in September 2004, were designed to promote an integrated cradle-to-grave approach in the management of construction and demolition waste throughout the duration of projects above specified thresholds. Publication of the draft guidelines coincided with the launch of the National Construction and Demolition Waste Council’s Voluntary Construction Industry Initiative which involves all players in the construction industry committing to specific actions to facilitate a progressive increase in the recycling of construction and demolition waste.

Since the introduction of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 local authority performance on the enforcement of the litter laws has significantly improved as detailed below.

Throughout 2004, the following measures were taken to support strengthened local authority action on litter and to progress the implementation of the Litter Action Plan and the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System: Allocating grants (€720,000) to local authorities to co-fund local public education and awareness initiatives

against litter; Providing financial support (€280,000) for An Taisce’s project, National Spring Clean; Providing financial support (€75,000) to the Irish Business Against Litter National Litter League; Encouraging public authorities (Government Departments and state agencies) to develop anti-litter action plans

for their own organisations; Progressing the development of training for litter wardens.

Good progress was made in 2004 on air and noise matters. In September, the European Commission approved Ireland’s proposed National Emission Reduction Plan to reduce sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions from older power generation plants. In December, the Minister for Finance announced in Budget 2005 the introduction of an excise duty incentive for sulphur free road fuels. Throughout 2004, essential preparatory work was undertaken on transposition of EU air quality directives related to non-road mobile machinery emissions, volatile organic compound (VOC) content in paints and related products, and environmental noise assessment and management.

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Providing the policy leadership and legislative framework for the development and management of investment programmes in water, waste water and waste management infrastructure, and pursuing complementary policy initiatives, including producer responsibility initiatives and application of the polluter pays principle, to meet environmental and development needs.

The NDP continued to provide the backdrop to the ongoing activity in the water services infrastructure sector during 2004. At the end of the year, some €2.7 billion of the anticipated €3.7 billion to be spent in this sector over the lifetime of the Plan had been spent since 2000, with the Exchequer share, funded through the Department, accounting for €2.274 billion. Exchequer expenditure in 2004 alone amounted to some €400 million. The NDP investment in water services is being delivered through a rolling three-year Water Services Investment Programme and the annual Rural Water Programme.

In May 2004 the Minister announced a further phase of the Water Services Programme to cover the years 2004-2006. The Programme contains 869 individual water and sewerage schemes at various stages of progress and was largely derived from updated assessments of current needs for water services infrastructure, carried out by local authorities in 2003. The assessments formally took into consideration for the first time the requirements of the National Spatial Strategy.

Over the period 2000-2004, 82 wastewater schemes, serving a population equivalent of 3 million and 42 water supply schemes, generating an increase in water treatment capacity sufficient to meet the requirements of a population equivalent of 578,000, were completed. In the same period, some 73,000 serviced sites have been provided under the Serviced Sites Initiative and 23 schemes have been completed under the Rural Towns and Villages Initiative. The environmental impact of the ongoing investment is reflected in the increased level of compliance with EU treatment requirements for urban wastewater discharges (including 2005 targets), the maintenance of high quality drinking water standards in public supplies and the improvements being made to water quality in the private sector. At the end of 2004, Ireland's compliance rate with the December 2005 requirement of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive in relation to secondary treatment of wastewater had risen to 90%, with all remaining schemes required to achieve full compliance included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006. The EPA 's most recent results (2003) for the quality of drinking water showed an overall compliance rate of 97.7% in public supplies and 91.8% in private Group Schemes.

Local authorities continued to make progress on water conservation schemes in their areas on foot of the specific allocation of €276 million in 2003. This investment, which builds on earlier fact-finding water conservation schemes carried out by selected local authorities, is designed to identify and substantially reduce the levels of unaccounted-for water loss/leakage in Ireland's water supply network. Many local authorities are engaged in substantial rehabilitation work and by the end of the year, most of the remaining local authorities had advanced their schemes to the point where they were in the process of appointing Engineering Consultants to draw up detailed programmes for investigation and rehabilitation.

A new Project Control System (PCS) for use by local authorities in advancing water services projects through the planning and construction phases was introduced during the year. Developed by the Water Services National Training Group, the objective of the PCS is to implement a consistent national approach to the management and administration of individual capital projects to ensure timely and efficient delivery of new infrastructure.

The Water Services Bill which was passed by the Seanad in July 2004 will consolidate and modernise existing water services law, and provides for a new licensing system for the rural water sector, and the introduction of a strategic planning system at city and county council level to improve the management of water services infrastructure generally. This legislation is expected to foster good environmental practice among consumers and will make a significant contribution to the sustainable management of water resources.

An audit of national wastewater infrastructure serving population equivalents in excess of 2,000 was completed in 2004, and will help to establish a basis for the strategic planning system provided for under the Water Services Bill.

Roll out of the Government’s Water Services Pricing Policy, which gives effect to the direct application of the polluter pays principle to water services provision in the non-domestic sector, continued in 2004. The related programme to meter all non-domestic consumers by 2006 remains on track. A pilot-metering project in Sligo continues to drive forward this initiative.

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The Department completed the Review into the Effectiveness of the Horizontal Principles, one of which relates to the environment, under the National Development Plan/Community Support Framework. This resulted in the progressive amendment of, and improved integration of the environmental dimension into, many measures and activities under the Framework.

New Waste Management (Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 came into effect on 30 December 2004. The Regulations introduced a number of revisions to the existing Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2003, under which ‘major producers’ of packaging are required to self comply, that is to take steps individually to collect and recover packaging waste, or alternatively, gain exemption from those and other prescribed obligations by contributing to, and participating in Repak, a packaging waste compliance scheme approved by the Minister. The principal change in the new regulations is an increase in the registration fees payable by self-complying ‘major producers’ to local authorities. The maximum fee of €5,000 per premises (from which packaging or packaging products are supplied) which applied previously has been raised to €15,000 per premises.

The Plastic Bag levy has had a dramatic impact on consumption of disposable plastic bags, the reduction in use is estimated at over 90%. Receipts collected by the Revenue Commissioners realised €13.5 million in 2004. It is a valuable initiative in raising awareness of litter and waste management initiatives generally and is widely supported by the public.

A draft National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste which sets out a range of measures aimed at the progressive diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill in accordance with the targets set out in Council Directive 1999/31/EC was launched for public consultation in April 2004. Under the Landfill Directive, Member States of the European Union are required to prepare a National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste which will provide the framework for the introduction of a variety of measures to encourage the separate collection, treatment and recovery of biodegradable waste. In light of the strict legislation and health rules governing the management and use of animal by-products by the EU and given that Ireland has a large dependence on agriculture, particularly stringent national legislation on the management and use of animal by-products has been adopted in Ireland. The Department has worked closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food to develop guidelines and the necessary administrative arrangements, including conditions for the approval, inspection and on-going monitoring of biological treatment facilities (involved in the treatment of animal by-products) in order to ensure compliance with the animal by-product regulations. It is intended that the draft Strategy will be completed during 2005 following the finalisation of the appropriate guidelines and monitoring systems.

A public consultation was announced in September 2004 to provide interested stakeholders with an opportunity to express their views on the consultancy report A Study on the Application of Economic Instruments on Specified Products / Materials. The study was commissioned by the Department to make recommendations on the possible application of economic instruments (including environmental levies) as a means to minimise the environmental impact of litter associated with chewing gum, fast food packaging and automated teller machine receipts.

After an extensive public consultation process, the Government decided in 2004 that a carbon energy tax was not an appropriate policy option on climate change and opted instead to intensify action on the non-tax measures under the National Climate Change Strategy. A review of the Strategy will be completed in 2005.

Providing and maintaining efficient and effective environmental implementation, monitoring and enforcement systems through action by the Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities.

In 2004, work continued on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive including liaison with authorities in Northern Ireland on the coordinated implementation and delineation of International River Basin Districts.

The Water Policy Regulations 2003 established seven areas in the State as "river basin districts" (RBDs) of which three relate to cross-border river basins shared with Northern Ireland. The regulations assign responsibilities to the EPA, local authorities and other public authorities for implementation of the Water Framework Directive and lay down deadlines for the delivery of the main tasks required by the Directive.

Progress on the development and operation of River Basin District Projects continued with the commencement of the Western and the South Western River Basin Districts. These projects represent the last pieces in the jigsaw of

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River Basin Districts across the Island of Ireland. A North-South Shared Aquatic Resource (NS-share) Project commenced on the 1 August 2004 and forms an important element for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and for North-South co-operation in the International River Basin Districts designated under the Directive. The project is led by Donegal County Council on behalf of the relevant authorities North and South. The cost of the project is €7.45 million of which 75% is funded under the EU INTERREG 111A programme and the remainder by the implementing bodies North and South. The project, which will run for three years, is developing and implementing working tools for water management in relation to shared waters in the International River Basin Districts and to make recommendations for their use in support of improved inter-regional capacity for environmental monitoring and management.

In December 2004 a national summary report on the Characterisation and Analysis of Ireland's River Basin Districts was published. The individual river basin reports are a major milestone for water quality management and are a major new source of information for everybody interested in the protection of our aquatic environment. The reports pave the way for ongoing development of a system of planning for river basin management and provide a comprehensive description of each River Basin District.

In May 2005 the EPA's report The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland (2004) confirmed that the quality of bathing water in Ireland is very good with 98% of the bathing areas complying with the mandatory standards and 88% of the bathing areas complying with the guide values (which are much more stringent) for the parameters total and faecal coliforms, mineral oils, surface active substances and phenols.

73 beaches and 4 marinas were awarded the Blue Flag in 2004 thereby maintaining the same high level as awarded in the previous 2 years. In 2003 the Department requested An Taisce to conduct a study to explore the scope for increasing the number of Blue Flags in Ireland and this was at a very advanced stage at the end of 2004.

The EPA’s report, The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland - A Report for the Year 2003 , confirmed the fundamentally good quality of and continuing improvement in drinking water in Ireland with an overall compliance rate of 96.1% in relation to all prescribed standards. The report concludes that the overall quality of public water supplies remains satisfactory but while acknowledging continued improvements over the past two reporting years, the overall quality of private group water supplies remains unsatisfactory. The report again acknowledged the continuing role of the Department in achieving improvements in the quality of group water schemes, particularly through the significant and targeted capital investment being made to the group water sector. The Department will continue to implement measures to assist in achieving good water quality in all supplies.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered a judgment on 11 March 2004 that Ireland was non-compliant with the Nitrates Directive. The main finding was that Ireland had not fulfilled its obligations under the Directive by reason of failure to establish and implement an action programme to protect water quality against pollution by farming.

Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme was submitted to the EU Commission on 22 October 2004. The Action Programme was prepared in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food following consultation with interested parties. In addition, the Minister appointed an independent adviser to review the written comments received, hold meetings with many of the main stakeholders and report back to the Minister. The Action Programme submitted to the EU Commission reflected the independent adviser’s recommendations.

On 22 December 2004 the EU Commission issued a formal response in relation to the Nitrates Action Programme indicating that it did not regard the Action Programme as being complete or compliant with the judgment of the ECJ and the Directive. The Department is working closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food regarding the preparation of a response to the Commission

In keeping with the Government’s commitment in the national partnership agreement Sustaining Progress to seek the approval of the EU Commission for an organic nitrogen limit of up to 250kg per hectare per annum, an application for a derogation was submitted to the Commission on 12 November 2004. The application was prepared by the Department of Agriculture and Food and Teagasc, in consultation with this Department. The Commission has, however, indicated that the derogation application will not be considered until a compliant action programme is in place.

With over 200 pieces of EU environmental legislation, including more than 140 directives, now transposed into Irish law, implementation and enforcement, as well as effective and timely transposition of new measures,

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continued to be a key area of focus for the Department and its partners in 2004. Throughout the year the Department was in ongoing communication with the EU Commission and met regularly with Commission officials to address issues of non-compliance with EU law and a high priority was given to addressing outstanding issues in consultation with the Commission and relevant stakeholders.

On the regulatory front new regulations were made to limit ground level ozone concentrations, and to address national emission ceilings for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and ammonia. The Protection of the Environment Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 and the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004, all of which took effect from 12 July 2004, provide the legal framework to enable the Agency’s licensing systems comply with the provisions of Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control. The Department, working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, participated in ongoing EU negotiations on the proposed new EU Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) and the development of the new EU Environmental Technologies Action Plan.

Comprehensive new structures are being put in place in Ireland to deliver a significantly enhanced waste enforcement service. The allocation of funding –over €7 million from the Environment Fund - towards dedicated waste enforcement staff for local authorities, coupled with the efforts of the Office of Environmental Enforcement in co-ordinating activities and providing training, means that Ireland is now in a position to better identify and suppress irregular waste movements and illegal waste trafficking.

The Office of Environmental Enforcement has consolidated the environmental enforcement activity in the country through the establishment of a National Enforcement Network. The function of this Network is to harness the collective resources, expertise and investigative capacity of all the players engaged in stamping out illegal activity in Ireland. The Network pools the combined skills of local authorities, the Office of Environmental Enforcement, this Department, An Garda Síochána, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the DPP, the Criminal Assets Bureau, and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland. This is resulting in a step-up in actions against unauthorised waste movement including roadblocks and inspections of suspect facilities.

In March 2004, the Local Authority Packaging Enforcement Network, co-ordinated by the Department and involving the provision of detailed briefing to local authority officers on the effective and efficient enforcement of the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, was extended nationwide. Co-ordination of the Network’s activities formally passed, in the latter half of 2004, to the Office of Environmental Enforcement under the umbrella of the National Enforcement Network. A number of working groups have been established under the auspices of the National Enforcement Network to examine local authority enforcement activities over a range of specific areas, including packaging and farm plastics waste.

The EPA Research Budget is €32 million over the period 2000-2006 and is administered through the Environmental Research, Technological Development and Innovation Programme. The Department, through the National Development Plan provides funding for this programme annually. Over 700 researchers are involved in the programme including 96 scholarships and fellowships to support new researchers. The EPA research programme currently funds more than 308 projects ranging from six-month desk studies to large multi-annual capability development projects involving several organisations and also helps researchers to participate in large-scale international research programmes. The EPA provides Research and Development funding to the industrial sector in Ireland through the Cleaner Greener Production Programme launched in November 2001 and aimed at developing systems and technologies to reduce the environmental impact of the industry and service sector. Under phase 1, 29 successful projects were completed.

Disseminating high quality information on the environment and on sustainable lifestyle choices through ENFO and pursuing other awareness initiatives, and participating actively in EU/wider international work to address global/regional environmental problems, cooperating on environmental issues in the framework of the North-South Ministerial and British-Irish Councils, and preparing for Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2004.

During 2004, ENFO continued to provide easy access to information on the environment and sustainable lifestyle choices. ENFO entered into sponsorship arrangements including the ECO-UNESCO and ENFO Young Environmentalist Awards, and a special Environment prize in the 40 th Young Scientist and Technology Competition. Services provided by ENFO during the year included:

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The provision of information through a wide range of complementary media including: Maintenance of a drop in information centre with over 102,000 visitors Responding to an average of 330 requests for information per week by post telephone, email and in person Maintenance of the ENFO website to which there were over 185,000 visits Maintaining and expanding its reference library of environmental books, journals and international databases. Maintaining and expanding the Children’s Corner and sending a Newsletter to over 4,000 children Providing workshops, lectures and environmental walkabouts to groups involving 8,049 school students in the

ENFO Centre. Production of a TV series “Our Living Islands” which was screened on cable TV and also reproduced on DVD

and distributed to every school in Ireland Hosting 13 very successful exhibitions in the ENFO centre, many in conjunction with NGOs.

A range of outreach activities: “ENFO on Tour” workshops were conducted in 600 schools outside of the Dublin area reaching 100,000

students. Two outreach initiatives were funded and developed with Comhar. Sixty evening workshops on sustainable

living for community groups in the South East were commissioned from Waterford Institute of Technology and the Tipperary Institute. A school education module on sustainable living was commissioned from ECO -UNESCO

A series of workshops organised in conjunction with the INTO reached 200 Primary school teachers ENFO’s touring exhibitions, information stands, teacher resource packs and videos continued to be made

available to schools, local authorities and NGOs throughout 2004. ENFO continued to support and provide key resources to the Local Authority Environment Awareness Officers

Network. Five meetings of the network were co-ordinated by ENFO during the year.

The further development of ENFO’s international connections by: Acting as a focal point for publications from the EPA, the European Environment Agency and the United

Nations Environment Programme. Hosting the SASIN website, an environmental database subscribed to by countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Providing representation at meetings of the EU Green Spider Network which works to create a platform for the

exchange of ideas, information and experiences among environmental information officers in the European Union. The ENFO representative was elected President of the Network for 2004/05.

Continuing to develop cross-border co-operation with the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service through the sharing of information materials, staff exchanges and the visit by ENFO’s Education Officer to a number of schools in Northern Ireland.

Hosting a major exhibition on the Environment in the New Member States shown at the ENFO centre during May, to mark Ireland’s Presidency of the EU.

The “Race Against Waste” information and awareness campaign continued in 2004 with the completion of Phase 1 and the commencement of Phase 2 to run from July 2004 to June 2005 with a budget of €3.5 million. Campaign activities in 2004 included: A series of TV and radio advertisements encouraging people to reduce, reuse and recycle the waste they

produce. The introduction of the “Small Change” programme to support Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in reducing

and recycling business waste. The launch of a Lo call number and a redesigned website www.raceagainstwaste.ie The publication of a series of information leaflets on Integrated Waste Management, Incineration, Biological

Treatment, Composting, Backyard Burning and Landfill. A print advertisement campaign in local and trade press. In September a joint North South waste awareness campaign was launched with the Department of the

Environment in Northern Ireland. The campaign ran over a four month period and complemented the Northern Ireland Wake Up to Waste campaign and the Race Against Waste campaign. The overall campaign budget was €2.53 million and was 75% funded by the INTERREG IIIA Programme. Activities under the campaign included a major television advertisement campaign, the provision of awareness material to all householders in the border region and an information workshop on business opportunities in the waste sector.

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Due to the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive in 2002 the North South Ministerial Council was unable to meet in 2004. However, progress was maintained in taking forward the previously mandated work programme of the Council on a range of environmental issues:

Work continued on the co-coordinated implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and in particular in relation to the development of common typology, monitoring and classification systems to facilitate the reporting and monitoring required for the cross-border river basins shared with Northern Ireland. Work commenced in August 2004 on a North South Project costing an estimated €7.45 million, supported by EU funding under the INTERREG IIIA programme, the objective of which is to strengthen inter-regional capacity for environmental monitoring and management, to improve public awareness and participation in water management issues and to develop a number of river basin management strategies for cross border waters based on the best practice in river basin management planning. Water Framework Directive stakeholder information seminars held by the Environment Departments North and South were attended by officials from both parts of the island.

The North South Market Development Steering Group continued its work on the expansion of waste recycling on an all-island basis and, in particular, to develop an all-island strategic approach to market development for recyclable material. In November 2004, a contract was awarded for Phase 1 of a jointly funded study intended to determine the feasibility of establishing a paper mill on the island of Ireland. The study will access the strategic contribution such a project could make to delivering a dynamic and healthy recycled paper market for the island.

An all-Island initiative for the recycling of domestic fridges and freezers commenced in February 2004. The initiative was developed by the Environment Departments North and South, in co-operation with local authorities on both sides of the border. The scheme involves the collection and recycling of waste fridges and freezers and the destruction of ozone depleting CFCs. The initiative, developed against the background of new EU Regulations on ozone depleting substances which prohibit waste fridges and freezers going to landfill, has proved to be a huge success with over 100,000 units collected north and south for recycling up to the end of December 2004. It has also proved popular with members of the public as local authorities must ensure free access to civic amenity sites for the receipt of fridges and freezers from householders in order to qualify for funding from the Environment Fund. 32 local authorities and 26 district councils are participating in the scheme. In November 2004 it was declared the winner of the UK National Recycling Awards in the category of “Best Partnership Project for Recycling”.

The Department together with the Department of Environment, Northern Ireland is responsible for implementing the environmental protection and management measure of the EU Interreg III A North South Programme 2000-2006. In 2004 approval was attained from the Interreg Steering Committee for 18 cross-border projects, costing some €15 million, to be part-funded under the Programme.

The Department led Irish participation in the meeting of the British-Irish Council Environment Sector held on 8th

July 2004 in Wales at which a range of environmental issues of interest to members were considered including Sellafield and radioactive waste, biodiversity, and priority issues for sustainable development. The communiqué from the meeting is available on the British Irish Council website www.british-irishcouncil.ie

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government chaired 3 meetings of the EU Environment Council in 2004, as President of the Council.

A key agenda item for the first meeting in March was agreement on the environmental priorities to be forwarded to the European Council in the context of its annual review of the Lisbon Agenda. At its Spring meeting later that month the European Council agreed that growth must be decoupled from negative environmental impacts, reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to delivering on the Kyoto Protocol target, and welcomed the Environment Technologies Action Plan and called for its rapid implementation.

The second meeting, the informal Council, was held in Waterford in May. This was the first meeting of Environment Ministers following enlargement of the Union on 1st May. The Irish Presidency discussion paper “Natural Resources and Waste: New Policy Perspectives” informed discussion at the meeting. Arising from its deliberations the Council reaffirmed its commitment to the integration of environmental protection and continued economic growth. In terms of the proposed Thematic Strategy on preventing and recycling waste, the Council clearly signalled a life-cycle

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approach and the need to minimise environmental impacts, especially in terms of production processes and products.

At the third meeting in Luxembourg in June political agreement was reached on a proposed amending directive to reduce the sulphur content of marine fuels and on proposals to amend the Bathing Water Directive and a revised regulation on shipments of waste was progressed. Ministers unanimously adopted conclusions on waste prevention and recycling at this meeting. The agreed conclusions provided guidance to the Commission in framing the Thematic Strategy on Preventing and Recycling of Waste.

During Ireland’s Presidency agreement was also reached on proposals for: an Air Quality Daughter Directive on concentrations and deposition rates for certain heavy metals (arsenic,

cadmium, nickel) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air, a Directive to limit emissions of solvents containing volatile organic compounds and a Regulation refining existing legislation on the marketing and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants.

A Commission proposal for a “Package of Measures” dealing with Safety of Nuclear Installations and safe management of Radioactive Waste, which had been under discussion for some time, was brought to Council (General Affairs and External Relations) for guidance. The measures did not have sufficient support to be adopted and under Ireland’s Presidency a compromise was adopted in Council Conclusions which set out a road map for consideration of these issues towards an eventual adoption. This is now in train under subsequent Presidencies.

Guidelines for the Implementation of Nuclear Safeguards under Euratom Treaties were completed and agreed.

A number of environment conferences were hosted in Ireland during 2004, the outcomes of which will contribute to the advancement of national and international environment and sustainable development policy.

Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development in EU25 a conference hosted by Comhar in Kinsale in April had over 100 participants, including national and EU level sustainable development co-ordinators and representatives from the European Commission, the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils’ network and national sustainable development councils.

Bridging the GAP: Information for Action a major international conference hosted by the EPA in Dublin in April focused on mobilising knowledge from monitoring and research for a better environment. The conference brought together over 370 delegates from 37 countries to discuss environmental information and how to use it effectively.

A meeting of the Informal European Network on Integrated Product Policy was hosted by the Department in Dublin in May. The Department also facilitated the 8th meeting of the EU LIFE Committee in Dublin in June.

Further details of these meetings and conferences are reported in the Environment Bulletin (Issue 59 and Issue 60) and on the Comhar and EPA websites.

In its role as President of the EU, Ireland chaired EU working party and working group meetings and expert groups in preparation for a number of international meetings and led EU representation and negotiation teams at these meetings including: On environment and sustainable development: The OECD Environment Policy Committee meeting in Paris in April was chaired by Ireland. The meeting

reviewed progress in implementing the ambitious OECD Environment Strategy and presented an opportunity for OECD Ministers to contribute to the 12th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 8th Special Session of the Governing Council / 5th Global Ministerial Environment Forum held in Jeju Island, Korea from 29 to 31 March. The meeting focused on the environmental dimension of water, sanitation and human settlements, specific themes identified for CSD 12, with particular emphasis on the resources necessary for a quality environment and for poverty eradication.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe regional implementation forum held in Geneva on 15 and 16 January to assess the region’s progress in implementing sustainable development commitments in preparation for the 12th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development.

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The 12th Session of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD 12) in New York (19-30 April), reviewed and evaluated progress in implementing the commitments in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Millennium Development Goals, in relation to improving access to clean water and basic sanitation and improving the lives of slum dwellers. The session focused on identifying the constraints and obstacles to progress, and models of best practices, which were incorporated in a non-negotiated Chair’s summary for consideration at CSD 13 in April 2005.

On biosafety: The first Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was held in Malaysia from 23 to 27

February with a primary focus on decisions towards early and full implementation of the provisions of the protocol. The EU contribution, led by Ireland, was significant and constructive in the positive influence it had on the decisions of the meeting relating to the transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms in line with EU policy.

On environment and health: The World Health Organisation 4th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health held in Budapest from 23

to 25 June focused on reducing the damage to health from environmental threats with special emphasis on the health of children and future generations. The Department participated in this meeting in support of the Department of Health and Children who have the lead role in this area.

On climate: Ireland hosted a Climate Change Workshop for EU climate negotiators in Dublin in January 2004. The

workshop focused on preparations by the EU for the start of international negotiations on climate change policy post-2012.

Ireland’s Presidency responsibilities culminated in the 20 th session of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which took place in Bonn, Germany from 16 to 25 June 2004. These sessions, attended by over one thousand delegates, occur twice a year and are negotiation fora where Parties to the Convention discuss and seek to reach agreement on various aspects of the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

The EU and a number of other Parties to the Kyoto Protocol have led the way in taking action to meet their agreed greenhouse gas limitation or reduction targets. At the 20 th session of the Subsidiary Bodies, the EU was keen to start negotiations on actions that the international community must take further to curb emissions of greenhouse gases after 2012, when the period covered by the Kyoto Protocol ends. The Session presented opportunities to make progress on a number of issues of importance in this regard, as well as making preparations for the 10th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Buenos Aires in December 2004.

The Irish EU Presidency Team at the 20th session of the Subsidiary Bodies comprised twenty members drawn from the Departments of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Foreign Affairs and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, ENFO, COFORD, and the Attorney General’s office. One of the principal objectives of the Presidency was to improve the performance and effectiveness of the EU as a negotiator within the UNFCCC forum. This was done through a number of initiatives which draw on the strengths and expertise of individuals across all Member States and minimise the need for in-session EU coordination. It also frees up delegates to engage with counterparts from outside the EU. This worked extremely well during the 20th session of the Subsidiary Bodies and contributed to the creation of a more constructive negotiating atmosphere than had existed in the last number of sessions. It led, in turn, to progress being made in a number of areas that had been difficult or dead-locked for some time.

A major climate change achievement for the 2004 Irish Presidency was agreement on a proposed Directive linking the project based mechanisms in the Kyoto Protocol to the EU emissions trading scheme. The Directive provides a cost-effective basis for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Through use of the project mechanisms, credits from emissions reduction projects, such as investment in clean technologies in countries outside the EU, can be used to offset emissions within the EU under the emissions trading system which commenced on 1 January 2005.

In recognition of the transboundary, global nature of environmental degradation and as part of our commitment to addressing global environmental problems, the Department in 2004, contributed €1,408,500 to the Global

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Environment Facility, the principal international environmental fund, which provides grants and funds to developing countries for projects and activities that aim to protect the global environment and €317,000 to the United Nations Environment Programme.

In the second half of 2004 international activities included participation in EU preparations for and national participation in the 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Buenos Aires in December 2004. This was the first Conference of the Parties since ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the Russian Federation, a move which paved the way for the Protocol to enter into force on 16th February 2005. Significant decisions were taken on progressing international discussions on measures to tackle climate change after the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period ends in 2012 and agreement was reached on the Buenos Aires Work Programme on adaptation and response measures to climate change.

Developing and implementing, in cooperation with other Departments and agencies and with good participation in related international developments, policies and programmes aimed at integrating environmental considerations into economic/fiscal and other policy areas, particularly industry, transport, energy, tourism and agriculture.

The Irish Presidency of the EU placed a high emphasis on the European Union’s progressive approach to environmental protection and sustainable development. This provided good opportunity for the Department to promote sustainable development, in keeping with our mandate, both nationally and internationally during 2004. This included preparations for the 2005 review of both the Lisbon Agenda and the EU Sustainable Development Strategy.

Arrangements for implementation of EU Directive 2003/87/EC on emissions trading were further advanced and a National Allocation Plan for the 2005-2007 pilot phase of emissions trading within the EU was submitted by the EPA to the European Commission in March 2004. The Plan, which was approved by the Commission in July 2004, enables the participation by over 100 Irish installations in carbon dioxide emissions trading under an EU emissions trading scheme which commenced on 1st January 2005.

Promoting a partnership approach among the economic sectors, social partners, and non-governmental organisations to key environmental policy and sustainability issues through Comhar and other inclusive initiatives such as Local Agenda 21.

The Rural Water Programme is being implemented under a partnership framework involving co-operation between the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, the Rural Organisations (IFA, ICMSA, ICA), the local authorities and the Department. The main focus of the programme is on the elimination of substandard drinking water quality in group water schemes with private sources serving approximately 50,000 households nationally. Capital expenditure on the Programme in 2004 amounted to €86 million and underpinned progress in the following areas:

Drinking water quality in group water schemes was monitored on a quarterly basis under a comprehensive group water scheme monitoring programme for the 1,500 group schemes falling within the remit of the Drinking Water Regulations. Results were forwarded to local authorities on an ongoing basis and a summary of the findings will be published by the EPA in it’s annual report on drinking water quality for 2004.

In September 2004, the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee published a review of the committee's "Action Programme for Rural Water Drinking Water Quality for 2003-2006". The plan sets out a strategy for bringing the quality of rural water supplies into compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations by 2006. Upgrading routes have now been determined for 618 group water schemes with a private source.

In a unique partnership between the public and private water supply sectors in County Monaghan involving 3 County Council water supply schemes and 10 large group water schemes, water treatment and disinfection facilities are being provided under a single Design, Build, Operate (DBO) contract. The selected contractor will operate and maintain the treatment plants for a period of 20 years. 6 plants were completed in 2004 and work was well advanced on the 2 remaining schemes.

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As a result of the success of the Monaghan project, DBO procurement coupled with the bundling of numbers of schemes under a single contract is the agreed strategy for providing necessary water treatment and disinfection plants for group water schemes nationally. At the end of 2004, some 234 group water schemes were participating in bundled DBO projects, spread across 18 counties and covering almost 40,000 rural households.

The National Rural Water Monitoring Committee is overseeing the implementation of a pilot programme by local authorities to test a range of new, small scale wastewater collection and treatment systems for small villages based on DBO procurement. Tenders were received from pre-qualified contractors in December 2004. Pilot projects will be completed at 12 villages spread over 6 counties.

Through the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, the Department assisted 208 environmental projects in 2004. A total of €300,000 was paid to local authorities to support projects that involve partnership arrangements between local authorities and local community groups, schools and environmental NGOs. Under the 2004 scheme, local authorities were required to support the objectives of, and as far as possible link into, the Department’s multi-media “Race Against Waste” campaign in the awarding of grants.

€245,000 was provided in 2004 to contribute to capacity building by environmental NGOs to support more effective engagement by them with national and international environmental policies. As well as continuing to support a Secretariat for the sector, the 2004 allocation included funding for a Water Framework Directive Co-ordinator to facilitate NGO input into the River Basin Management process in a co-ordinated and structured way. The funding for a co-ordinator is related to the requirements for stakeholder engagement under the Directive. Funding was provided to support NGO attendance at a number of intergovernmental conferences including the United Nations Environment Programme, the Commission on Sustainable Development and meetings of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Department supported a conference Investing in Sustainable Development organised in Dublin in February by the European Environment Bureau, the European Trade Union Movement and the Platform of European Social Non-Governmental Organisation.

Comhar, the National Sustainable Development Partnership, considered and made recommendations/submissions on a number of topics including the Department’s draft guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing and draft guidelines on Strategic Environmental Assessment. Comhar contributed to the review body on Local Government financing and to the interim review of progress in implementing the National Biodiversity Plan. Further details of activities undertaken by Comhar are published in their Annual Report (see Appendix 7 for contact details)

In 2004 the Department continued to work towards the ratification of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.

A Core Prevention Team was established in the EPA in 2004 to develop, implement and drive the National Waste Prevention Programme in close co-operation with other key stakeholders. The National Waste Prevention Committee was launched in July 2004 to monitor the development of the National Waste Prevention Programme and to provide strategic direction to the Core Prevention Team in developing and implementing it. The Committee is chaired by the EPA and comprises representatives from a number of public bodies and relevant stakeholders.

Influencing EU and other international policy so as to take full account of the health, safety and environmental impacts of nuclear energy.

Ireland’s position on nuclear policy is articulated on a regular basis at numerous international meetings which we participate in, notably meetings of the EU, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency.

In September 2004, at the 48th Session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna Ireland co-sponsored the omnibus resolution adopted concerning measures to strengthen International

Cooperation in transport safety and waste management.

Ireland supported a resolution on International Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response that was circulated by Norway. The issue of emergency preparedness and response is one in which Ireland has been deeply involved nationally in the past number of years. This resolution which was

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also adopted supports and encourages in a number of different ways the further implementation of the International Action Plan for Strengthening the International Preparedness and Response System for Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies and requests that resources be allocated to support the long term sustainability of this work.

Ireland participated in drafting the resolution adopted on Transport Safety. This resolution dealt with such matters as liability mechanisms, communications on shipments, and international cooperation in relation to maritime incidents.

Ireland regularly participates in other international meetings such as those of the Nuclear Energy Agency which discusses such matters as nuclear safety and regulation, radioactive waste management, radiation protection and public health, nuclear law and liability and nuclear emergency management.

Ireland also participates in meetings held under the umberella of the OSPAR Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic which discusses matters relating to marine pollution, including the OSPAR Strategy on radioactive discharges to the marine environment.

Monitoring the implementation of safety commitments at Sellafield, continuing to oppose the MOX plant at the site and working towards the eventual safe closure of the installation.

Legal action against the United Kingdom (UK) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) continued during 2004.

Discussions at official level between Ireland and the UK continued in 2004 on foot of an order of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that called on both parties to develop suitable secure arrangements at inter-Governmental level to improve co-operation and consultation. The discussions led to two reports on progress being jointly submitted to the Tribunal in May and November.

A Bilateral Agreement on the Early Notification of an Accident or Incident of Radiological Significance was signed between Ireland and the UK on 10 December 2004. An announcement was also made on 10 December on the outcome to date of discussions under the UNCLOS Provisional Measures Order between Ireland and the UK. It included details of a Package of Measures to address a wide range of issues relating to co-operation arrangements on nuclear issues between the UK and Ireland. The Package of Measures made provision for facilitating visits to Sellafield by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) and An Garda Síochána, access for the RPII to the UK’s radiation monitoring system (RIMNET) and initiatives to develop and improve existing co-operation arrangements at regulator and official level between both Governments.

Legal proceedings were instituted by the European Commission against Ireland in 2003 in relation to the issues of competency between the European Commission and Member States under UNCLOS which were identified by the UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal in the oral hearing of the case between the UK and Ireland. Written pleadings in the European Court of Justice proceedings were exchanged during 2004 and included interventions by the UK on behalf of the EU Commission and by Sweden on behalf of Ireland. The written procedure in the case was completed in late 2004 and an oral hearing was requested by Ireland. The date for this oral hearing has been set for 8 November 2005.

The Department liaised with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland throughout 2004 on issues relating to radiological safety. Details of activities undertaken by the Institute are published in their Annual Report. (see Appendix 7 for contact details)

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HeritageObjective

To protect and promote appreciation of the built and natural heritage and to promote their enjoyment by all.

During 2004, the Department continued to protect and promote appreciation of the built and natural heritage. Appropriate legislative and administrative measures were taken including;

The National Monuments Acts were amended in 2004 in order to clarify consent procedures with regard to works affecting national monuments and in particular archaeological works associated with road developments approved under the Roads Act 1993. In addition, provision was made to waive consent for works affecting any national monument in connection with the completion of the South Eastern Route of the M50 Motorway thus allowing the local authority to resume construction works on that project.

In 2004, the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) undertook a new publishing initiative with the establishment of a website www.buildingsofireland.ie. New surveys for counties Waterford, Wicklow, Leitrim and Roscommon were published on this site. Previously published NIAH surveys are to be added to this website.

The designation and protection of additional natural heritage sites containing nationally and internationally important habitats, species and ecosystems.

Measures were taken for the application and enforcement of the law in regard to protected habitats and species.

Contributions were made to international fora for the protection of the world’s natural heritage. Works were undertaken for the development, improvement and maintenance of visitor facilities, access and

interpretation in Ireland’s National Parks and Nature Reserves. Further progress was made on the capital investment programme in State properties under the National

Development Plan 2000-2006. A number of privately-owned properties were given grant assistance during 2004, while an examination into the feasibility of establishing a trust-type organisation to mange such properties was also initiated. Funding was also allocated towards a Visitor Centre at Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo

Key Strategies

Provide an appropriate legislative and policy framework for the effective conservation and protection of the built and natural heritage.

The National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 was enacted on 18 July 2004 – see Appendix 1. The Act clarifies the role of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Minister for Finance, Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism and Commissioners of Public Works under the National Monuments Acts so that there is no doubt raised arising from previous Transfer of Functions Orders.

The resource implications of maintaining the present State portfolio of heritage properties are very significant. Accordingly, innovative alternatives to State acquisition to ensure the protection of heritage properties under threat have been explored. In this context, the Department engaged consultants to examine the issue of facilitating the emergence of a national trust-type organisation which might independently of Government, and with reduced overall economic cost to the State, acquire and manage major heritage properties where there is imminent risk to their heritage value through neglect or where an appropriate use cannot be brought forward through sale to a private sector investor. Following evaluation of the recommendations in the consultant’s report, proposals were being formulated, for approval of Government, for the establishment of An independent Irish Heritage Trust which will have a mandate to acquire on a case-by-case basis important heritage buildings at risk and provide for public access.

During 2004, work continued on the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan 2002-2006. In accordance with the commitment contained in the Plan, a full interim review of its implementation was initiated with a view to reporting to Government in 2005. Support was provided to a working group of Comhar – the National Sustainable Development Partnership - which was established to prepare an independent evaluation of progress on the implementation of the Plan. This evaluation was finalised in November 2004.

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Ireland played a prominent role in international Biodiversity matters during its EU Presidency in the first half of 2004. Firstly Ireland coordinated the EU Position at the Third Intergovernmental Conference on Biodiversity in Europe, at which over forty Governments were represented, and which was held in Madrid in January 2004. The Conference developed recommendations from the Pan-European Region on important issues for biodiversity conservation for submission to the 7th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity (COP7).

Secondly Ireland took a lead role at the 7 th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP7) which was held in Malaysia from 9 to 20 February 2004. This Conference agreed targeted and enhanced global efforts to conserve biodiversity and to meet the objectives of the convention, which is to significantly reduce the rate of loss of Biodiversity by 2010.

Thirdly in May 2004, Ireland hosted a meeting of the European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS) in Killarney. Under a Conference title: “Sustaining Livelihoods and Biodiversity: Attaining the 2010 Target in the European Biodiversity Strategy”, it examined how science and research can contribute towards meeting the EU target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. It agreed the "Killarney Declaration" that emphasised the key role of funding for biodiversity research in providing the information and understanding necessary to meet EU and Global biodiversity targets. It also agreed the Killarney Recommendations which identify overarching research priorities on biodiversity, as well as research priorities specific to each of the 4 Action Plans.

Finally Ireland also jointly hosted a major conference with the European Commission in Malahide, Co Dublin, entitled "Sustaining Life, Sustaining Livelihoods". This conference was part of a broad stakeholder process for the assessment of the implementation, effectiveness and appropriateness of the EC Biodiversity Strategy. The output of this meeting was the "Malahide Message" which presented priority objectives and detailed targets designed to meet the EU commitment to halt the decline of biodiversity by 2010 and to optimise the EU contribution to the global commitment to the achievement by 2010 of a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity. At this Conference, the IUCN (the World Conservation Union) launched ‘Countdown 2010’ which aims to join key decisions makers and civil society to meet the goal of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department participated in other national and international conferences, serviced international conventions and represented the Department on various committees. Servicing CITES was a major element of NPW’s work, which somewhat delayed surveys of dune heaths and slacks from being undertaken. Preparations began for the international conference ‘European vegetation in the 21st

Century’ being organised by NPW’s Research Branch and which will take place in June 2005.

Following on the receipt of Reasoned Opinions from the European Commission that the statutory framework for full compliance with the EU Habitats Directive in Ireland, was in a number of respects inadequate, work progressed on the review of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 and the preparation of revised regulations under the European Communities Act 1972. A Statutory Instrument (SI) was prepared to improve the level of protection afforded to designated areas under the Regulations.

Work continued on developing a suitable format for conservation plans for marine Special Areas of Conservation [SACs] designated under S.I. 94 of 1997. Draft plans for 12 marine sites were prepared.

Draft plans for around 40 SACs were completed and a further 40 were updated and edited in preparation for public consultation. Maps for these plans were digitised. Consultation was completed for 10 sites during 2004.

Funding was secured under the EU LIFE programme for a 5 year project entitled ‘Farming for conservation in the Burren’ and the Project Co-ordinator was appointed just before Christmas 2004.

NPWS was represented on the Project Management Group for the Coillte EU LIFE funded Project ‘Restoring Active Blanket Bog’ that involved a number of remedial actions being undertaken. These actions included removal of plantation trees and blocking of drains to raise water levels on a number of sites (totalling 1,200 ha) within or adjacent to SACs. NPWS promoted and carried out baseline research on one of the sites where geological and hydrological factors potentially influence blanket bog ecology.

NPWS were represented on the Steering Group of the Irish – British Monarch Climate Change and Biodiversity Programme and NPWS provided grant support, with further funding coming from British Nature Conservation

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agencies. NPWS provided distribution data for selected species of flora for a cross-border case study area incorporating several SACs and NHAs (Natural Heritage Areas – designated under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000).

Progress was made in preparing a Statutory Instrument to commence Section 36 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. This Section provides for the licensing and regulation of commercial shoot operators.

Under the Wildlife Acts, 1976 and 2000, species protected by law can only be hunted, captured or taken under licence. These licences are issued on the basis of scientific advice regarding sustainability and in this context the licensing profile is reviewed regularly.

The following are the numbers of licences issued for the 2004/2005 season for each of the main types of licences.

2475 Deer Hunting licences

673 Licences for hunting over foreshore belonging to the state

131 Wildlife Dealers Licences

80 Licences to engage in Falconry

79 Licences for possession of birds of prey

257 Section 42 licences for permission to control protected wild birds or protected wild animals causing damage

30 Licences issued under Section 23 to capture and humanely kill badgers (one licence for each District Veterinary Officer in Department of Agriculture and Food to cover badger removal in cases of serious Bovine Tuberculosis breakdown)

Annual Open Season Orders were issued, permitting hunting during the specified open season for each species, following an annual review on the basis of sustainability. Derogation Orders were issued to facilitate control of wildlife liable to cause damage to property, subject to overriding conservation considerations.

Consultative meetings with interest groups affected or concerned by the licensing provisions were held during the year.

Identify, inventory and assess the built and natural heritage.

Progress on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) continued in 2004, with surveys for counties - Waterford, Wicklow, Leitrim and Roscommon published in 2004. A companion booklet to each county survey is still being published which illustrates the extent of the county’s architectural heritage.

The NIAH surveys assist planning authorities to make informed judgements on the significance of structures in their remit. Totals of 2,826 structures in Waterford, 1,123 structures in Wicklow, 390 structures in Leitrim and 402 structures in Roscommon in the NIAH surveys are rated as being of regional importance or higher and recommendations to the planning authorities in these areas under Section 53 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 have been made for the inclusion of these structures in their Records of Protected Structures.

Survey fieldwork for counties Kilkenny, North Tipperary, Offaly, Sligo and Westmeath was completed in 2004 and work was in progress for the Cork City Centre Survey, with a view to publication in 2005.

The Archaeological Inventory for County Sligo (Volume 1, south Sligo) was completed with a view to publication in 2005. Archaeological surveys were progressed in counties Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Limerick, Longford,

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Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary. A survey of c.6000 hectares of bogland in Counties Kildare and east Offaly was completed in 2004.

Considerable progress was made in the preparation of the updated Record of Monuments and Places for Counties Louth, Monaghan and Carlow, which were scheduled to be re-issued in 2005.

The first volume of the Shipwreck Inventory which covers counties Louth, Meath, Dublin and Wicklow was brought to final draft stage.

A major feature of this year was the development of monitoring programmes for habitats such as raised bogs, sand dunes and turloughs, and further programmes for species which included Natterjack toad, Marsh saxifrage, Freshwater pearl mussel and the Lampreys. They compliment those programmes that are already established and ongoing particularly for birds, e.g. wintering waterbirds, breeding birds of the countryside, Greenland White-fronted geese and Corncrake. These programmes enable an assessment of the ‘condition’ of various habitats and species to be made which is an important component of the obligatory reporting under both the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

The use of aircraft is occurring more frequently to deliver monitoring and survey programmes where their application is appropriate. Flying facilitates both direct counting and photography of certain species on the ground, such as breeding Gannets on Little Skellig and seals at their ‘haul-outs’ around the coast, or in the air when Barnacle geese pack closely after they have been flushed. All designated sites are also being flown at regular intervals to detect physical impacts that can then be followed up with ground visits to establish more accurately the nature, extent and severity of the particular impacts.

A network of volunteer-observers continues to be used to establish a distribution and species list for cetaceans in coastal waters. This has lead to funding for a MSc in small cetaceans along the western seaboard.

New surveys were initiated for beetles in aquatic habitats, as a contribution towards the production of a new Atlas of Irish beetles, bat foraging and commuting routes, otters in a national context and a desk study was completed on an inventory of sea cliffs and coastal heaths. Survey work continued on rare and threatened bryophytes and vascular plants, certain fish species – lampreys and shad, native broadleaf woodlands and Chough. A 3 year survey programme to determine the breeding distribution of Golden Plover and Dunlin in the uplands and western blanket bogs was completed. This information will be used to identify areas to be designated under the EU Birds Directive as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) as both species are listed on Annex 1 of that Directive.

A complete re-survey, assessment and mapping of potential blanket bog NHAs was delivered in July 2004 to facilitate the proposed statutory designation of 73 sites covering 37,394 hectares which occurred in 2005.. Other designation work progressed on the validation of boundaries on candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC) maps, maps for SPA designation, compilation of Natura 2000 forms and site synopses for both SACs and SPAs and the boundary revisions for riverine SACs commenced.

During 2004 preliminary steps were taken to examine how comprehensive vegetation/habitat maps, to assist in site management, monitoring and assessment, might be undertaken. Designated areas around the coast which may be susceptible to oil pollution were identified and a list was drawn together to establish which species and habitats were particularly sensitive at each location. Increased emphasis was placed on data management with progress on the compilation of data on rare and threatened bryophytes (mosses) and vascular plants, Irish Bumblebees, research reports and sites.

NPWS assisted the development of ‘best practice guidelines’ with the National Roads Authority (NRA) for road schemes, particularly for badger underpasses and watercourse crossings, with Coillte on bat conservation in woodlands and hen harriers, and with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Central Fisheries Board on drainage maintenance operations.

Working with our colleagues in the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) in Northern Ireland 4 All-Ireland Species Action Plans were drafted for Corncrake, Irish Hare, Pollan (a fish species) and Irish Lady’s Tresses orchid in preparation for public consultation in 2005. Another joint action with EHS was the production of a report on actual and potential invasive species that was co-ordinated by the Quercus consultancy facility at Queen’s University, Belfast. Work on implementing the key recommendations is planned for 2005. A further product of NPWS/EHS collaboration, in conjunction with The Heritage Council and National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland,

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was the publication of The Natural History of Ireland’s Dragonflies, a beautifully illustrated and informative account of the ‘jewels of the insect world’. Other publications included 5 Irish Wildlife Manuals that may be accessed on the NPWS website and a leaflet on Irish Reptiles.

Designate elements of the built and natural heritage requiring special protection measures.

During 2004, further progress was made in designating ecologically important sites throughout the country for protection.

In July, details of 73 blanket bog areas proposed for designation as Natural Heritage Areas were advertised in the relevant local media.

In November, 4 areas proposed for designation as Special Protection Areas were advertised in the relevant local media.

In December, 18 additional areas were designated by statutory order as Special Protection Areas.

A number of measures were taken to safeguard the built heritage, these included:

making one Preservation Order and two Temporary Preservation Orders;

recommending 3,281 structures for inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures; and

granting 17 determinations under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (Section 482) for the repair, maintenance or restoration of approved buildings or gardens in the State.

Provide leadership in the conservation of the built and natural heritage outside State care.

As a statutory consultee under the Planning Acts in respect of development proposals which may have an impact on the built or natural heritage, the Department processed over 9,500 planning applications and several hundred other consultations during 2004. Recommendations made to planning authorities were designed to avoid or minimise the impact of proposed development on the built or natural heritage.

In 2004, a code of practice on development impacts on archaeology was agreed and launched with ESB National Grid. The Department continued to operate existing agreed codes of practice with the National Roads Authority, Bord Gáis Eireann, Bord na Móna, the Irish Concrete Federation and Coillte.

During the year, in excess of 2,000 archaeological licences, including excavation licences, licences to dive and consents to use detection devices, were issued.

Following a public consultation process, the content of the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities was being finalised at the end of 2004 with a view to publication in early 2005.

In 2004, the following capital funding was provided:

€350,000 to Russborough House for essential conservation works, and

€320,000 to Westport House to grant aid emergency works.

In addition, a scheme of urgent conservation and structural works at the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford was approved for financial assistance, with an initial grant of €20,000 provided in 2004 for preparatory works.

The funding for all of the above projects was administered by the Heritage Council. The Heritage Council also finally secured a new location for its Headquarters at the Palace, Kilkenny in November, 2004 with funding provided by the Department.

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€625,000 was provided to Fota Trust Company Limited to help defray the cost of conservation works at Fota House. This will facilitate ongoing public access to the property. The Department also plans to enter into discussions with the Trust regarding the longer-term future of the property.

A total of €3.9 million was paid out in 2004 under the Grant Scheme for Protected Structures. The scheme is administered by the local authorities and assists owners and occupiers to undertake conservation works on privately owned structures of architectural significance which are protected under the Planning Acts.

The Department is committed to promoting a Conservation Officer liaison network throughout the country. In order to advance this network and the protection of the architectural heritage, officials from the Department met formally with Conservation Officers from planning authorities on two occasions in 2004. Funding of €390,000 was given to planning authorities towards the employment of Conservation Officers.

Grants totalling €1.24 million were paid out in 2004 for the conservation of architectural heritage. This EU co-financed scheme provides support for local authorities, and bodies such as Civic Trusts to upgrade public buildings of significant architectural and heritage merit.

Conserve, manage and present State properties to the highest standards as models of excellence in the conservation of the built and natural heritage.

In September 2003, the Office of Public Works (OPW) was given responsibility for day to day management of the built heritage properties with the Department retaining responsibility for policy decisions on acquisitions, use and presentation of State properties as well as associated control of the capital budgets involving projects undertaken by the OPW at National Monuments and Historic Properties. This entails determining the programme of works that the OPW will undertake under the capital works programme.

In 2004, the OPW had capital works in progress at some 20 National Monuments and Historic Properties in State Care. These included the Rock of Dunamase, County Laois; the Phoenix Park, County Dublin; Garinish Island, County Cork as well as the completion of the major restoration of the Palm House in the Botanic Gardens.

During 2004, a total of €8.6 million was spent on capital works, including the programme of improvements to exhibitions, audio-visual information and other visitor facilities. The Department provides funding to an apprenticeship scheme to ensure continuity in supply of traditional building skills so that monuments are expertly conserved. In 2004, €400,000 was provided to the scheme.

During 2004, almost €3.848 million was spent on various capital projects at National Parks and Nature Reserves, including the following:

infrastructure works continued at Glenveagh National Park with improvements to visitor facilities: the Interpretative Display at the Visitor Centre was completely renewed and updated; parts of the Castle, tearooms and restaurant were redecorated and refitted; improvements were made for access by bus. Major infra-structural work was done to upgrade the waste water treatment system;

the renewal of the visitor exhibition at Coole Park Visitor Centre, Gort got underway. The new exhibition will include display relating to the natural habitats of the Park and will also pay tribute to the importance of Coole Park in Irish literary history;

in Killarney National Park, substantial works were carried out to improve the farm buildings in Knockreer in order to bring the buildings to the standard required for Organic Farming accreditation;

essential drainage works was completed at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve and sluice repairs were carried out at the proposed Nature Reserve of Sheskinmore, Co. Donegal;

substantial work was undertaken at bridges in Wicklow Mountains National Park, at Joseph’s Cottage and in Knocksink Wood in Co. Wicklow to enhance and expand walking routes.

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rhododendron clearance was carried out at Gortroe within Killarney National Park and Tomnafinnogue Wood in County Wicklow.

Initiatives were undertaken by the Department in the provision of pathworks at Wicklow Mountains National Park and Killarney National Park to arrest erosion on the mountains caused by a combination of climatic conditions and extensive visitor usage over the decades. Erosion works on Torc Mountain, Killarney National Park were completed at the end of 2004 and consisted of stone pitching and laying of board walking with associated landscaping and drainage. In addition remedial pathworks at the Diamond Hill, Connemara National Park were commenced to prevent further erosion and deterioration of the blanket bog area.

Since the 1980s the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council [IPCC] and the Dutch Foundation for the Conservation of Irish Bogs have made considerable efforts to raise awareness of Irish peatlands and their conservation value and to prevent further deterioration and destruction of these areas. A good example of a joint effort was Fenor Bog Nature Reserve, Co. Waterford, which is owned by the local Community Association, a few landowners and the IPCC. The principal aim of the Fenor Bog community initiative is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of this Bog by the local community and to develop its educational use. Fenor Bog Nature Reserve was designated as Ireland’s 78 th and Co. Waterford’s first ever Nature Reserve in May 2004, under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000. The rarity of the Fenor Bog site in the Southeast of Ireland has now been conserved through its recognition as a Nature Reserve and it is also protected as a proposed Natural Heritage Area. Ireland’s peatlands occupy an important position in the range of peatlands across Europe and Fenor Bog will form part of the few European sites where peatlands exist in a near natural state.

In 2004 two projects for which funds have been allocated through the National Development Plan were significantly advanced:

Planning permission was sought for the provision of a Visitor Centre at Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo and it was received in early 2005. The Centre will facilitate awareness and education of the uniqueness of Ireland’s 6th National Park.

Following discussions with Offaly County Council draft plans for the building a Study/Visitor Centre for Clara Bog Nature Reserve were prepared with a view to progressing this project through the Planning process in 2005. As well as providing visitor and interpretative facilities, part of the building will be used for study and research purposes connected with Clara Bog.

The new headquarters building for the regional staff of this Wicklow Mountains National Park at Kilafin, Laragh was completed, furnished and occupied during 2004.

Several National Parks and Wildlife sites in have been selected as suitable for Native Woodland Scheme, which is grant-aided by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Food, to encourage the protection and expansion of Ireland’s native woodland resource. Work is progressing under this scheme at Deputy’s Pass, St. Saviour’s Wood and Derrybawn in Co. Wicklow, Union Wood, Co. Sligo and Glengarriff, Co. Cork. Further sites in Counties Wicklow, Galway and Kilkenny were identified for development under the Native Woodland Scheme and applications prepared.

Provide leadership through the promotion of increased national awareness of the importance and value of the built and natural heritage and through increased public consultation as part of the decision-making process.

As part of the roll out of a management planning process for all 6 of Ireland’s National Parks, 5 year Draft Management Plans for Wicklow Mountains National Park and Killarney National Park, both covering the period 2005-2009, were submitted for public consultation in 2004. Subsequently the amended Wicklow Mountains National Park Management Plan 2005-2009 was adopted by the National Park Council.. Work commenced on producing the consultation draft plans for Glenveagh National Park and Ballycroy National Park County Mayo.

National Heritage Week (5 to 12 September 2004) was marked by more than 600 events throughout the country. A wide range of national and community organisations participated with events and activities ranging from guided tours and nature walks to lectures, music recitals, poetry reading, storytelling, historical re-enactments, craft demonstrations and art exhibitions.

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NPWS operates 4 manned visitor sites at which guides provide detailed information to better enable visitors appreciate the importance and awareness of their natural heritage. In 2004, at these sites, the following visitor numbers were recorded:

Muckross House [Killarney National Park] - 169,505, Glenveagh Castle [Glenveagh National Park] - 47,513, Connemara National Park Visitor Centre [Co. Galway] - 58,758, and Coole Park [Co. Galway] - 3,787.

In addition, a much larger number of visitors avail of the unmanned, free admission to the National Parks and Nature Reserves around the country.

As part of the Presidency programme the Department hosted a meeting of the Steering Committee of the European Forum for Architectural Policies in Dublin on 15 April 2004. A public seminar the following day, on the theme “Architectural Policies and the Achievement of Quality in the Built Environment”, was attended by delegates from most European countries.

In 2004, the Department part-funded “Archaeological Investigations in Galway City: 1987-1998. E. Fitzpatrick, M. O’Brien and P. Walsh (eds)”. This volume, brings together the results of 79 investigations in Galway City carried out under licence by the Department.

A number of initiatives were undertaken to increase public awareness of the importance and wealth of archaeological sites in the country including:

Archaeology in the Classroom - The Department was involved, with the Limerick Education Centre, in the development of an educational tool for archaeology for use in primary schools.

Earthen Banks and Broken Walls – The Department developed a mobile exhibition and leaflet outlining the variety of archaeological sites in the countryside. During 2004 the exhibition was on display in ENFO and also in Meath, Wicklow and Wexford, and has been booked for display in other counties in 2005.

National Ploughing Championships – The mobile exhibition "earthen banks and broken walls", formed the backdrop to a Department Stand at the National Ploughing Championship. Department archaeologists, staffing the stand, responded to archaeological queries and provided information to farmers and others from the rural community.

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PlanningObjective

To provide a policy and legislative framework which facilitates and encourages development patterns consistent with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development, balanced regional development, conservation of the natural and built environment, quality in construction and urban and village regeneration.

Work continued in 2004 in promoting balanced regional development on foot of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS). The most significant development was the adoption of Regional Planning Guidelines by all Regional Authorities. These Guidelines set the strategic policy agenda for local authority development plans. In addition, by the end of 2004, strategic land use and planning strategies were in place for the Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Sligo Gateways.

In July, 2004 the Minister signed two sets of Regulations to give effect to Directive 2001/42/EC on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment – commonly known as the “SEA Directive”. The Directive requires that all plans and programmes which are likely to have a significant effect on the environment should be subject to an environmental assessment. In November 2004, the Minister published Guidelines for Regional and Planning Authorities on implementation of the Directive.

Good progress was made towards the achievement of this objective in 2004 and details of activities undertaken during the year in implementing the key strategies identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003-2005 are outlined below.

Key Strategies

Lead and manage implementation of the National Spatial Strategy by mobilising action across the widest possible spectrum of interests towards the achievement of balanced regional development.

The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) aims to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development between regions. Its focus is on people and the places where they live and work. The Strategy seeks ways to unlock potential for progress, growth and development in a more balanced way across Ireland, supported by more effective planning. Balanced regional development is fundamental to the Programme for Government. The commitment to prepare the spatial strategy was included in the National Development Plan 2000–2006. The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Housing, Infrastructure and Public Private Partnerships monitors implementation of the NSS.

Throughout 2004, the NSS continued to influence, at national level, policies and programmes of relevant Government Departments and agencies; at regional level, a key policy bridge between national development priorities and local planning was put in place with the adoption in mid 2004 of Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs); at local level, strategic land use and planning strategies for the Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Sligo Gateways were in place.

In 2004, the Department issued for public consultation, draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing. The Guidelines are intended, in their implementation through the planning system, to facilitate people who have roots or links to the rural community, and are part of or contribute to that community, in getting planning permission for their housing proposals, subject to normal planning requirements. The draft Guidelines provide a policy framework setting out in detail how Government policy on rural housing as set out in the National Spatial Strategy is to be taken forward by local authorities in planning more effectively for rural areas. The Guidelines are to be finalised in 2005.

The review of the Retail Planning Guidelines was coming to a conclusion at end 2004. The changes to the Retail Planning Guidelines, announced in early 2005, relaxed the existing floor space cap on retail warehouses in respect of Integrated Area Plan areas in the NSS gateways, thus ensuring that any future large scale retail warehouse development would contribute to the Government’s social and economic goals in respect of urban regeneration and the NSS.

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2004 saw the introduction of a more strategic approach to the drawing up of investment programmes by Government Departments, through five-year capital envelopes. Under this approach, Departments will have to demonstrate how investments are being prioritised to implement the NSS.

Work continued during 2004 on the drawing up of an overall policy framework for the development of the Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure (ISDI) as mandated by the Government’s Information Society Action Plan and the NSS. A consultation document on the ISDI was published in May with a view to submitting formal proposals to Government on the overall policy and institutional framework for the ISDI in the first half of 2005.

Maintain an up-to-date legislative and policy framework to facilitate an efficient, effective, balanced and quality planning system that is transparent and accessible in its operation and which promotes the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.

The Department issued, for consultation, draft proposals to amend certain provisions of the 2001 Planning and Development Regulations in response to submissions received from planning authorities and other interest groups regarding the practical implementation of the 2001 Regulations. The draft proposals also proposed a standardised application form to be used by all planning authorities. At the end of 2004, the Department was carrying out a detailed examination of the many responses received during the consultation period, with a view to finalising the Regulations as early as possible in 2005.

During 2004, the Department continued to assist planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála with regard to their staffing levels and resources. Further details of the activities undertaken by An Bord Pleanála are outlined in their Annual Report (see Appendix 7 for contact details).

The Department continued to support and facilitate the operation of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments. The cost of the Tribunal in 2004 was €7.157 million. The enactment of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Act 2004 amended the terms of reference of the Tribunal to allow it more discretion in the matters it investigates.

Planning Guidelines on Quarries and Ancillary Activities were published in April 2004 to coincide with the introduction, with effect from 28 April, of the new control regime in relation to quarries under Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The regime introduced a once-off system of registration for all quarries - including those in operation since before the planning code came into existence. Under the registration system, quarry operators must supply full details of their operations to the relevant planning authority. Planning authorities are required to consult with local communities regarding the operation of any quarry registered with them. Following registration, a planning authority can impose conditions on the operation of a pre-October 1964 quarry or may require such a quarry to apply for planning permission and submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in certain circumstances. Planning authorities may also restate, modify or add to conditions on the operation of a quarry which received planning permission more than 5 years prior to the introduction of the new regime. The Guidelines cover the environmental impacts of quarrying, for example, noise and vibration, dust deposition and traffic impact and set out, in each case, best practice and possible mitigation measures. The Guidelines give specific advice to planning authorities on dealing with planning applications in respect of quarries, particularly those requiring Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and suggest possible appropriate planning conditions.

In August 2004, the Minister issued, for public consultation, draft Guidelines for Wind Energy Development. These Guidelines update the 1996 version and advocate a ‘plan-led’ approach, which will require planning authorities to identify areas where there is significant wind energy potential. The submissions received during the public consultation process were being examined at end 2004 with a view to publishing the final Guidelines in 2005.

In December 2004, a Ministerial Task Force on e-Planning was established to promote the electronic submission and processing of planning applications and appeals. The Task Force comprises representatives of the Department, the Local Government Computer Services Board, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála. The Task Force was due to present its first progress report to the Minister in April 2005.

The deadline for transposing Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (commonly known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive) was met when the Minister signed two sets of Regulations on 14 July 2004. (For details see Appendix 1).

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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the formal, systematic evaluation of the significant environmental effects of implementing a plan or programme before a decision is made concerning adoption of the plan or programme. In November 2004, the Minister published Guidelines for Regional and Planning Authorities on implementation of the SEA Directive. The Guidelines are designed to assist regional and planning authorities, and any development agency responsible for preparing a planning scheme in respect of a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), with the practical application of the requirements of the Directive insofar as land-use planning is concerned. The Department held information seminars on the Guidelines for regional and planning authorities and planning practitioners in 2004.

The Third Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the UNECE Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a transboundary context took place in Cavtat, Croatia on 1-4 June 2004. The Irish Presidency of the European Union co-ordinated the EU position on the successful adoption of a Declaration on the future development and implementation of the Convention; and on the future ratification and implementation of the UNECE Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The MOP also adopted a Work Programme and Budget covering the period 2004-2006, the budget to be funded by a new system of voluntary contributions by Parties to the Convention. Ireland will contribute a total of around €30,000 over the period 2004-2006.

Develop and maintain in cooperation with local authorities, relevant Departments, agencies and other relevant interests, targeted and integrated urban/town/village renewal programmes aimed at the economic, social and sustainable regeneration of such areas.

The objective of securing economic, social and sustainable regeneration continued on a national basis in 2004:

Based on monitoring reports received from local authorities, the total investment over the lifetime of three tax incentive-based renewal schemes (the Urban Renewal, Town Renewal and Living over the Shop schemes) is expected to be almost €6.3 billion.

Funding of €17.38 million was provided to 211 projects under the EU co-funded Urban and Village Renewal Programme. This programme, operated in conjunction with local authorities, supports the targeted development and rejuvenation of specific city, town and village areas.

The Tidy Towns Competition continues to benefit and enhance localities across the country, with nearly 700 towns entering the competition in 2004.

During 2004, the 5 cities and 38 major towns continued to benefit under the 1999 Urban Renewal Scheme. At end 2004, it is estimated that the total value of projects completed was €1.160 billion, work in progress was valued at €2.218 billion and projects in planning were valued at €1.873 billion. It is projected that overall investment under this scheme will amount to €5.25 billion, with over 1,000 projects being undertaken.

100 towns around the country also continued to benefit under the 2000 Town Renewal Scheme. At end 2004, it is estimated that the total value of projects completed was €125 million, work in progress was valued at €149 million, and projects in planning were valued at €546 million. It is projected that overall investment under this scheme will amount to nearly €820 million, with over 900 projects being undertaken.

There was increased development in the 13,000 metres of street in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford designated for the purposes of the 2001 Living Over the Shop Scheme (LOTS). From an initial slow start, by end 2004, there were approximately 140 LOTS projects either completed, in progress or being planned, involving the delivery of an estimated 575 new and refurbished residential units.

The EU/Exchequer funded Urban and Village Renewal Measure of the Regional Operational Programmes, which run from 2000 to 2006, again reported strong progress to the end of 2004. Grants to Local Authorities totalling €16.114 million, funded some 143 urban and rural projects.

Progress was also maintained during 2004 under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2000-2004 in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties (Peace II). Grants totalling €6.597 million were paid to the 6 County Council-led Task Forces in the border counties, which are responsible at local level for the delivery of three specific

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measures of the Programme – “Building Better Communities”, “Improving Our Rural Communities” and “Marketing the Region as a Tourism Destination”.

In 2004, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority awarded a contract for the building of a pedestrian bridge over the river Liffey to the east of the Talbot Memorial Bridge. When completed in 2005, this bridge will be an important link between the north and south quays. The development of the last remaining site at Grand Canal Harbour was secured and will provide 146 apartments and over 10,000 square metres of commercial space. The development of the Grand Canal Dock area also saw ongoing commercial and residential construction. Further details of the activities undertaken by the Authority are outlined in their Annual Report (see Appendix 7 for contact details)

The 2004 Tidy Towns Competition, organised by the Department and supported by national sponsors SuperValu, attracted nearly 700 entries and, with competition as keen as ever, standards continued to rise across the country. Once again, the competition attracted a broad range of public and private sponsorship for its special awards and received extensive national and local media coverage. The hard work of the Tidy Towns Committees was recognised in the wide range of awards made in 2004, with cash prizes of nearly €150,000, along with trophies, medals and certificates. Lismore, County Waterford was named as the Tidiest Town in 2004. Of additional interest was the launch of the Tidy Towns' Race Against Waste initiative, which ran in parallel to the main competition and was won by Carlow town.

The pilot City Neighbourhoods competition, targeted at urban areas in the five cities of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, progressed into its second year. Only those areas nominated by each City Council to represent their city can compete for the national title City Neighbourhood 2004. Cork City emerged victorious for the second year, with Patrick Street winning the overall award.

The best fifteen towns and villages from both the Tidy Towns competition and Northern Ireland's Best Kept Awards were once again invited to compete in the annual Ireland's Best Kept Town Competition. Keadue, County Roscommon won the top prize in 2004.

In the European Entente Florale competition, Westport, County Mayo was awarded gold medal status while Moynalty, County Meath was awarded silver medal status.

Promote high quality, safe and sustainable design and construction

Work continued in 2004 on the drafting of a Building Control Bill to amend the Building Control Act 1990. The Bill will strengthen the enforcement powers of local building control authorities and provide for the registration of the titles of “Architect”, “Building Surveyor”, and “Quantity Surveyor”, in the interest of consumer protection. The Bill will also implement certain sections of the EU Directive 2002/91/EEC on Energy Performance of Buildings.

The Department continued its work to promote a smooth transition from national standards to harmonised European Standards for building regulations purposes under the Construction Products Directive 89/106/EEC. Work on transposing new EU fire performance standards into Irish law was significantly advanced in 2004 with a view to completing transposition in 2005. A draft Action Plan to cater for the Department’s responsibilities for the implementation of Directive 2002/91/EEC on Energy Performance of Buildings was drawn up in 2004 in consultation with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). Publication of the draft Plan for public/industry comment was planned for 2005. Work also continued in 2004 on the Department’s responsibilities for implementation of Directive 2001/19/EEC on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications, which amends the Architects Directive (85/384/EEC).

The Minister strengthened the guidance with respect to radon prevention measures for new buildings through the publication of a revised Technical Guidance Document C (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture) of the Building Regulations in October 2004. The revised guidance, which was operative from 1 April 2005, is aimed at ensuring that radon protection measures, first introduced in 1997, are carried out more effectively at construction stage of buildings and are adequately protected from damage post construction.

In order to contribute to Ireland’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to limit greenhouse gas emissions by 2008–2012, Consultation Documents were published in July 2004 for public/industry comment for a further revision

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of Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations and the related Technical Guidance Document to require higher thermal performance and insulation standards for non-residential buildings.

In December 2004, the Minister published an Advisory Leaflet titled “Loft Conversion-Protect Your Family”. The principal focus of the leaflet is on fire safety requirements under Part B of the Building Regulations; householders are advised to seek professional advice and engage a competent contractor when contemplating attic conversions.

The Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB) advised the Minister on revisions to Technical Guidance Document C, on the Consultation Documents on proposed changes to Part L of the Building Regulations and on the content of the Advisory Leaflet on Attic Conversion.

A total of 20 detailed submissions were received during 2004 in response to the public/industry consultation process on the Timber Frame Housing Consortium Report (published by the Minister in December 2003). The submissions were being examined at end 2004.

In 2004, the Minister presented the Most Sustainable Building Award (sponsored by the Department) to Coppinger Court Development, Cork. This was one of eight categories in the Irish Architecture 2004 – Special Awards.

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Local GovernmentObjective

To support and strengthen local government capacity to fulfil its responsibilities with good democratic decision making, human resource, and financial planning and management systems; a modern electoral and statutory framework and a strengthened focus on community development and social inclusion.

The Department was centrally involved in detailed preparations for the European Parliament and Local Elections and the Referendum on the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution on EU Citizenship which were held on 11 June 2004

The local government modernisation programme continued apace in 2004 with further significant progress achieved in enhancing the role of local authorities in furthering the economic, social and cultural development of their areas. In particular, progress was achieved in the areas of corporate planning, partnership with sectoral and community interests, financial management and customer service.

Details of the activities undertaken in implementing the key strategies identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003-2005 for this objective are outlined below

Key Strategies

Enhance the democratic mandate and policy role of elected members, with effective input from local interests, through the new participative and decision making structures.

Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) continued to operate in every city and county council throughout 2004. Key objectives of SPCs have been to strengthen the policy-making role of councillors and to promote active participation by local sectoral interests in this process.

The Review of the operation of the SPCs, which was carried out by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) in conjunction with the Department, was published in 2004. A key objective of the review was to identify best practice in the operation of SPCs with a view to facilitating its transfer across the SPC network. The views of all the principal stakeholders in the SPC system - elected members, umbrella organisations representing sectoral groups, local government associations, local authority managers and staff - were taken into account during the Review.

The recommendations from the Review were included in supplementary guidance which the Department issued to local authorities in respect of the re-establishment of SPCs following the June 2004 local elections.

In June 2004, the Department published a booklet entitled ‘Local Government and the Elected Member’. This provides an up to date overview and practical guide to the modernised local government system and the strengthened policy development and representational roles and powers vested in the elected members, and was produced for distribution to incoming councillors following the local elections.

The Department continued its education and training programme for elected members in 2004, and an induction course for newly elected councillors was delivered in the latter part of the year.

Strengthen the community base and relevance of local government with genuine input to other public services delivered locally

In conjunction with their lead role on County and City Development Boards (CDBs), local authorities are expanding their community development role and widening their sphere of influence, in partnership with sectoral and community interests. The Minister requested the Boards to carry out a review of their Strategies in 2005 to examine progress to date, and to identify key priorities and actions for the period 2006-2008.

Community & Voluntary Fora, established in each county and city as part of the CDB process, continue to have an important role in facilitating the community in making an input into the CDB process, as well as the local authority SPCs. In line with the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity and for Developing the

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Relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Department provided €1.28 million in 2004 to support the work of the Fora.

A review of the Community and Voluntary Fora was completed in 2004 by a working group involving Directors of Community and Enterprise and the Department, in consultation with the Community & Voluntary sector at national and local levels. Arising from the review, each Forum was asked to implement a series of recommendations which largely relate to improving the operation of the Fora to ensure that they remain focused and relevant.

The CDBs continued to be supported in 2004 by the Joint Ministerial Initiative, involving the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, aimed at improving local and community development structures and programmes. As part of that initiative, the Government, in February 2004, announced a range of measures aimed at improving local and community development services on the ground, including funding (€2.9 million in 2004) to support proposals for improved cohesion across local and community development bodies and the endorsement of local and community development agency work plans by CDBs, to facilitate the more co-ordinated delivery of services at local level.

Funding of €1 million was provided by the Department in 2004 to support the pilot social inclusion units which were established in seven local authorities for a three-year period (2002-2004) in line with a commitment in the Programme for Prosperity & Fairness, PPF (2000). The social inclusion unit which had been established in Dublin City Council prior to the pilots also received funding under the pilot programme. The role of the units is to promote social inclusion internally within the local authority and externally with other relevant agencies in co-operation and in consultation with staff. An independent evaluation of the units, which was completed in late 2004, was positive and found that the units had made considerable progress in a relatively short time frame. Pending a review of the future operation of the units, and the question of their extension to other local authorities, in the light of the independent evaluation, the Minister decided to fund the pilot units for one more year i.e. 2005.

Maintain and develop a modern effective legislative and ethical framework for local government to deliver on its areas of responsibility

The local authority modernsation programme is underpinned by the Local Government Act 2001. Around 80% of the Act has been implemented. The Act introduced a requirement on each local authority to prepare a corporate plan which would set out the strategic framework within which the authority would operate. In order to assist local authorities with the preparation of their corporate plans, the Department issued Guidelines for Local Authorities in the Preparation of Corporate Plans 2004-2009 in July 2004. Local authorities were required to adopt their first corporate plan by the end of 2004.

The Department published separate National Codes of Conduct for Councillors and Local Authority Employees in 2004. These Codes formed the final element in the new comprehensive ethics framework for local government which was introduced in 2003. The purpose of the Codes is to set out the principles and standards of conduct and integrity, to inform the public of the conduct it is entitled to expect and to help uphold public confidence in local government.

Ensure local government has an adequate and appropriate funding system to meet existing and emerging challenges.

Local authorities’ current expenditure has increased significantly in recent years - from €2.3 billion. in 2000 to over €3.6 billion in 2004. This increase is in response to the growing demands for wider and improved services, for example, in areas such as waste management, land-use planning, enforcement, fire and emergency services, community development, etc. Over half of local authorities' current expenditure is funded through income from local sources such as commercial rates, local authority housing rents and charges for services. Other income is provided through specific State grants for services such as the maintenance and improvement of non-national roads. In addition, the Department provides general purpose grants – a discretionary block grant - to local authorities from the Local Government Fund. In 2004, these general purpose grants amounted to €752 million. which represented an increase of 14% over 2003 and was several times the rate of inflation for the period.

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In the light of continuing demands on local authority resources, a wide-ranging review of funding of local government was started in 2004, with the assistance of independent consultants. The aim of the review was to project local authority current expenditure and income for the period to 2010 and to make recommendations on the most appropriate funding system to meet local authorities' needs. The consultants are to present their report in 2005.

The revenues received from motor tax and driver licensing constitute a significant portion of the financial resources made available to the local government service. €747 million was collected in 2004, including €100 million via the motor tax online service (see section on Serving Our Customers). The Department’s Vehicle Registration Unit (VRU) supports and maintains the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) system in an IT infrastructure which facilitates the processing, including online processing, of all motor tax and driver licence transactions and the maintenance of all associated financial data. An accurate NVDF with the most up to date information is an essential pre-requisite for the efficient collection of motor tax and driving licence fees.

Develop and support modern local authority financial planning and management systems and distribute central funding in a fair and equitable manner.

As part of the modernisation and renewal process under 'Better Local Government', the Department, in partnership with local authorities and the Local Government Computer Services Board, completed the changeover to accrual accounting with new financial management systems in all local authorities. These new financial management systems provide significantly enhanced capabilities and management information and will contribute to enhanced efficiency, accountability and value for money in local authorities.

In distributing general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund, the Department directs extra financial aid to those local authorities that are financially weaker due to their smaller local revenue bases. This equalisation is carried out mainly through the Needs and Resources model, which takes into account the size of each local authority's operation and the income from local sources that should be available to it. In 2004, as in previous years, refinement of the model continued. This was to ensure, as far as possible, that the unit costs and income used were up-to-date and that the model reflected genuine differences in local authorities' cost bases.

Provide a quality, regulatory and value for money audit service for local authorities.

The Department’s Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) provides independent scrutiny of the financial and regulatory stewardship of local authorities. The outputs from audits are the formal audit opinions incorporated in the local authorities’ annual financial statements and the issue of audit reports on general matters, for the information of the relevant controlling Government Departments, council members, management and the public. During 2004, a programme of staff recruitment was undertaken to ensure an adequate staffing complement for the Service.

Support and promote best practice in human resource management in local authorities.

In conjunction with the Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB), the Department continued to promote excellence in human resource management in local authorities. The Department’s relationship with the LGMSB is critical to the discharge of our functions and the achievement of our objectives in this area. We continued to participate in management teams in pay negotiations in the Labour Relations Commissions, the Labour Court and dealt with individual pay related issues as they arose.

The Department is represented on the Local Authority National Advisory Partnership Group (LANPAG) and €3.4 million was made available in 2004 towards the cost of appropriate partnership projects in local authorities. The LANPAG Strategic Plan 2003-2005 envisages that partnership will become the established way of doing business, with unions, staff and management of local authorities working together to address a wide range of issues of strategic and operational importance.

Following a recommendation by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector to introduce a scheme of performance related awards for local authority managers, directors of services and assistant managers to reward exceptional performance, a Committee for Performance Awards (CPA) was established to monitor and

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adjudicate these awards. The CPA assessed the attainment of objectives by eligible management grades and recommended appropriate awards in each case.

Strengthen quality customer service in local government.

In January 2004, the Department published the results of the review by Customer Service Group (comprising representatives from the Department, local authorities and the Institute of Public Administration) on the operation of service indicators in local authorities. The Group’s report Delivering Value for People - Service Indicators in Local Authorities included a series of recommendations in relation to the broader application of service indicators. The report provides the basis for a process that will, for the first time, see the local government sector report in 2005 on its performance across the range of its services. The indicators will allow members of the public to assess the performance of their local authority and to see how each local authority’s performance improves year on year. T he Local Government Management Services Board will report annually to the Minister on the implementation of the indicators at local level. This report will also include an assessment of the operation of the initiative by an independent panel.

Develop a modern and efficient electoral administration.

Implementation of this strategy in 2004 principally involved work on the on-going development of the electronic voting and counting system, preparation for the 2004 European and local elections and the revision of Dáil constituencies.

In line with the Department’s mandate from Government to extend use of the electronic voting and counting system on a nationwide basis, work on the development of the system for the June 2004 European and local elections was progressed during the first quarter of 2004. On 30 April 2004, the Government decided to postpone use of the electronic voting and counting system at the June 2004 polls, having regard to the conclusions contained in the Commission on Electronic Voting’s Interim Report. The Commission, which was established by the Government on 1 March 2004 to examine the secrecy and accuracy of the chosen system, concluded that it was unable, in the short time-frame available to it, to endorse the further use of the system until additional testing and validation could be undertaken. However, the Commission emphasised that its conclusion was not based on any finding that the chosen system will not work but on the desirability of allowing more time for further testing and quality assurance.

In light of the Commission’s initial findings and recommendations for action, the Department continued its work, in consultation with the Commission and other relevant interests, towards establishment of a programme of further assessment, testing and validation to address the concerns raised by the Commission and to establish more fully the security, reliability and user-friendliness of the system.

In conjunction with work on the electronic voting project, detailed preparations for the European Parliament and Local Elections and the Referendum on the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution on EU Citizenship were undertaken for polling day on 11 June 2004. This involved the preparation and distribution of a number of guidance documents for returning officers and local authorities. Among these were guidance for Returning Officers at a referendum; guidance for presiding officers at the European and local elections and referendum; and a memorandum on the donation regime at the 2004 local elections for elected members. The June polls also necessitated ancillary work relating to the publication of supplements to the register.

The Department made the necessary arrangements in respect of a Presidential Election in 2004. In the event, only one candidate secured a nomination and following formal proceedings in the Custom House on 1 October 2004, Mrs. Mary McAleese was declared elected to be President for a second term.

The Constituency Commission’s Report on Dáil constituencies was published on 7 January 2004 and follows their Report on the European Parliament constituencies, published on 7 October 2003. The Commission, established on 9 July 2003 (under Part II of the Electoral Act 1997) was mandated to report in relation to the constituencies for the election of members to the Dáil and the European Parliament.

The European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Act 2004 implemented the Commission’s recommendations in relation to the European constituencies. The revised constituencies applied for the June 2004 European elections.

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Draft legislation to implement the Commission’s recommendations on changes to the Dáil constituencies was at an advanced stage of preparation at the end of 2004.

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HousingObjective

To enable every household to have available an affordable dwelling of good quality, suited to its needs, in a good environment and, as far as possible, at the tenure of its choice.

The Government continues to focus its efforts on delivering sufficient levels of housing output to meet the strong demand and in this way to bring further moderation to the rate of increase in house prices. The success of these efforts is seen in the achievement of a further record year for housing output in 2004 with some 76,954 units built nationally. Action is being taken also to address social and affordable housing needs through a range of targeted schemes. Over 12,000 units of social and affordable housing were provided in 2004 and it is anticipated that the needs of over 13,000 households will be met in 2005.

Details of the various activities undertaken in implementing the key strategies identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003-2005 to support the achievement of the above objective, are outlined below

Key Strategies

Oversee and seek to maintain an efficient housing market by implementing a multi-stranded approach to address housing needs as these evolve.

The Department assesses the trends in the housing market by examining various indicators to monitor house prices, housing supply and demand such as, mortgage lending information, house guarantee registrations, planning permissions, serviced lands and local area plans.

Housing output in 2004, at 76,954 was up 11.8% compared to 2003, with completions up by 16.8% in Dublin and 13.4% in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). There were a total of 60,782 new house guarantee registrations in 2004, up 6.9% compared with 2003.

In 2004 average house prices increased by 11% for both new and second-hand houses on a nation-wide basis over 2003 prices. House prices in Dublin for the same period increased by 10.6% and 9.75% for new and second-hand houses respectively.

The Department is currently developing a new house price statistical system (HPSS), which will enable it to produce a mix-adjusted house price index as well as providing an expanded series of borrower profile information. It is hoped that some results from this new development will begin publication in 2005

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The annual survey of serviced land zoned for residential purposes, undertaken in June 2004, indicated that there is sufficient capacity for about the next 5 years at current output levels.

The latest planning permissions data from the Central Statistics Office shows that nationally 101,653 units received a final grant of permission in 2004 - an increase of 30% on 2003 (up 11.9% in the GDA and up 5% in Dublin).

Following a pilot Study involving four local authorities, “Residential Commencement Notice” forms have been issued for all building control authorities since January, 2004 and the Building Control Regulations were amended to accommodate this development. This survey provides details of the numbers of residential units started and in 2004 this came to over 76,000 units.

Facilitate home ownership by those who desire and can afford it through fiscal and other measures.

In addition to measures to support a market response to housing demand, the Government have introduced a range of targeted schemes to facilitate home ownership. Activity on each of these schemes during 2004 is set out below.

1,652 dwellings were purchased under the Tenant Purchase Scheme; a further 4,135 applications to purchase were made and 3,463 sales were approved.

798 dwellings were purchased under the Shared Ownership Scheme; some 3,099 applications were received and 1,671 were approved in principle.

860 dwellings were completed under the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme Another 1,326 dwellings were under construction and a further 2,471 were in planning at the end of 2004.

374 affordable dwellings were acquired by local authorities on foot of agreements with developers under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2004. At the end of 2004, a further 1,215 such dwellings were in progress and another 2,259 were proposed.

Affordable dwellings under Part V arrangements form an important element of the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. To date, over 70 projects on State and Local Authority lands are planned which, together with the projected Part V output, means that the total potential yield to the Initiative is now over 10,000.

Legislation was enacted at the end of 2004 which will cater for the provision of mortgage finance by private lending agencies to affordable housing applicants. The first of these products was rolled out by a lending agency in April 2005 and discussions are ongoing with a number of other lending institutions. This legislation will also facilitate the direct sale of affordable houses from builders to eligible persons nominated by planning authorities.

The income eligibility and loan limit conditions applying to the affordable housing schemes were revised in July 2004. Eligibility for a single income household was increased from €32,000 to €36,800 per annum. For a two income household, the product of the formula 2 ½ the main income and once the second income must not exceed €92,000 (previously €80,000). The maximum loan which may be advanced for the acquisition or construction of a house was also increased from €130,000 to €165,000 and the term of the loan can now be extended from 25 to 30 years, at the discretion of the local authority.

In addition, reduced stamp duty rates for first-time buyers of residential property for owner occupation were introduced on foot of Budget 2005 to improve access to the second-hand market. Purchases up to €317,500 became exempt and reduced rates applied to purchases up to €635,000.

Expand the availability of housing (in line with the principles of the National Spatial Strategy) to meet demand, through the development and implementation of measures in the following areas: the legislative, regulatory and fiscal framework; securing the provision and efficient use of residential land, including the extension of the Serviced Land Initiative; expansion of social and affordable housing provision including increasing the contribution of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector and the pursuit of initiatives

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such as affordable housing; enhancement of the role of the private rented sector, including legislative reform and promotion of accommodation supply; addressing the special housing needs of elderly, disabled and homeless persons and Travellers; and, initiatives under the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) and the Revitalising Areas by Planning and Investment Programme (RAPID). In this context, it is intended to support housing advice services, through the local authority system, to enable those coming in contact with the local authorities to obtain advice on all of the available housing options.

Housing is the largest single component of investment under the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006 (NDP) and forms part of the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme (ESIOP). In the period January 2000 to December 2004, over €6.8 billion, some 10% ahead of forecast, was spent on the housing measures in the ESIOP. While output levels for social housing by the local authority and voluntary sector have been less than anticipated in the NDP targets, record levels of completions have been achieved over the period of the Plan. The shortfall in achieving output targets can for the main part be attributed to higher than anticipated construction costs and a lack of suitably serviced lands.

Following the review of the Housing measure by Indecon consultants as part of the broader ESRI evaluation of the NDP/CSF, both the text of the Housing Priority and of the Programme Complement have been reviewed and submitted as part of the overall review of the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme 2000 - 2006. The review of the Programme Complement included creating a template for reporting on horizontal issues

Other factors have a bearing on the review of the programme compliment include the review under Sustaining Progress of the effectiveness of programmes targeted at low income groups and those with special needs, and the comprehensive study of housing undertaken by NESC.

A new initiative requiring the preparation of five year housing action plans by local authorities commenced in 2004. The plans require local authorities to examine the need for different types of housing in their area and to set out how they intend to deliver across the full range of social and affordable housing programmes and supporting measures for the period 2004 to 2008. The Department approved 17 action plans in 2004 and the remainder were approved in the first half 2005. Provision is made for a mid term review of the plans in 2006.

The Housing Forum agreed a work programme which requires the examination and discussion of various housing issues, particularly having regard to ongoing developments in the area, such as the publication of the NESC report, with the ultimate aim of contributing to housing policy development. The work programme provides for a review of the effectiveness of social and affordable housing provision and meetings to date have included discussions on matters of particular interest e.g. homelessness, the need for housing, building sustainable communities, rent policies, and estate management.

Local authority housing construction and various regeneration programmes provided just over 4,500 units of accommodation in 2004 while work was in progress at the end of the year on a further 7,400 units . Expenditure on these programmes in 2004, which included expenditure by local authorities from their internal receipts, was just over €867 million.

The voluntary and co–operative housing sector provided 1,607 units for households in need in 2004 with funding from the Department through the Capital Assistance Scheme and the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme. In addition, work was in progress on over 2,100 units of accommodation at the end of 2004 and there were a further 6,400 units at various stages of development at local level throughout the country. Expenditure on the voluntary and co-operative housing programme amounted to €183 million in 2004.

The Housing Finance Agency continued in 2004 to make an important contribution to the delivery of social housing programmes, with loan advances of €494 million. This figure includes bridging finance amounting to €85 million to fund the construction of affordable housing schemes, loans for the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme to the voluntary housing sector amounting to €96 million, loans for shared ownership were €156 million, affordable housing loans were €98 million and land acquisition loans were €22 million.

Affordable dwellings under Part V arrangements form an important element of the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. To date, over 70 projects on State and Local Authority lands are planned which, together with the projected Part V output, means that the total potential yield to the Initiative is now over 10,000.

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The National Building Agency experienced a significant rise in activity last year. The Agency started over 900 houses in 2004 comprising local authority, voluntary and affordable housing compared to 286 starts in 2003. They also had over 1,000 new houses under construction at the end of 2004 almost double the figure at the end of 2003.

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004, enacted in July 2004 and commenced in two phases on 1st September and 6th December 2004, implements the vast majority of the recommendations of the 2000 report of the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector. The Act is the core element of the Government’s overall programme to promote reform and development of the private rented sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established on a statutory basis on 1st September 2004 to provide a dispute resolution service for private sector tenants and registered landlords, to operate the new tenancy registration system and to perform a range of monitoring, research, information and policy advice functions in relation to the private rented sector.

Since its statutory establishment, the PRTB has been concentrating particularly on implementing the new registration system. The vast bulk of registration applications were made during a very short period in late 2004 causing workflow difficulties. As a result of this and an extremely large volume of enquiries to the Board, processing applications and completion of the register continued into 2005. By the end of 2004 about 75,000 applications for registration had been received by the Board, a substantial improvement over the numbers that had registered under the 1996 Registration Regulations that were repealed by the 2004 Act. The PRTB’s dispute resolution service, which largely replaces the Courts in the resolution of landlord and tenant dispute in the residential sector, commenced in December, 2004. Further details on its activities will be provided by the PRTB (See Appendix 7 for contact details).

Generally positive trends in terms of supply and rent moderation in the private rented sector since early 2002 continued in 2004, and investment in the sector remained relatively strong, with positive effects on affordability in the overall housing market as well as directly benefiting tenants.

Local authorities continue to have responsibility for enforcement of the standards and rent books regulations in private rented accommodation. New arrangements have been made to provide funding for this purpose to local authorities from registration fee proceeds on a performance-related basis.

In 2004, the Rent Tribunal received 67 applications for the determination of rent and issued determinations in respect of 59 tenancies. Further details of the activities undertaken by the Rent Tribunal are set out in their Annual Report.

The Government announced in July 2004 a new initiative whereby local authorities will, over a four-year period, progressively assume responsibility for accommodating supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) rent supplement recipients of eighteen months or more continuous duration with a long-term housing need.

The rental accommodation scheme (RAS) is a collaborative project between the Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the community welfare service. Administered by local authorities RAS is intended to provide an additional source of good quality rented accommodation for eligible persons. It is envisaged at this stage that local authorities will provide accommodation mainly through availability contracts with landlords. The use of public private partnership type arrangements to put in place long-term contracts for the supply of rented accommodation will be a feature of the scheme.

By the end of 2004 roll out of RAS had been initiated in an initial group of lead authorities, namely Dublin, Galway and Limerick City Councils, South Dublin, Donegal, Offaly/Westmeath County Councils and Drogheda Borough Council. All local authorities will implement the new arrangements during 2005.

HomelessnessAll of the homeless fora have been established and all the action plans required under the Integrated Strategy on Homelessness have been completed, including those for the main urban areas, and work is well underway on implementing the measures in them.

The Cross Department Team on Homelessness is continuing to monitor progress, at national and local level, on the implementation of the homeless strategies and local action plans.

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A wide range of additional accommodation, ranging from emergency night shelter to long-term sheltered accommodation to enable homeless persons move out of emergency accommodation into accommodation that is more suitable to their needs has already been provided and more will be provided as part of the full implementation of the action plans.

Following a public tendering process consultants have been appointed to review the operation of the Homeless Strategies and action plans. It is intended that the consultants will present their findings by the end of May 2005.

The achievement of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) target in relation to persons sleeping rough remains a Government objective and significant progress has already been made in the provision of services for rough sleepers since the publication of Homelessness – an Integrated Strategy in May 2000.

For example, initiatives which have come on stream in the Dublin area include the provision of 1000 additional emergency beds of which 100 specifically target rough sleepers, additional outreach teams to make contact with people sleeping rough and assist them into accommodation. Appropriate provisions are also being put in place in other local authority areas throughout the country to cater specifically for persons sleeping rough and street drinkers. The Department recoups to local authorities 90% of the accommodation related costs of these facilities while the care/support cost are provided by the health boards.

In 2004, the Department reimbursed local authorities, €45.73 million for expenditure incurred in the provision of accommodation for homeless persons

There is a general acknowledgement that there is now enough emergency accommodation. The focus is moving to the provision of additional move-on accommodation for homeless persons, together with appropriate resettlement programmes to enable them to move out of homelessness and reintegrate into the community. This can be provided by the local authorities themselves or in partnership with voluntary bodies.

TravellersThe Department continued to monitor the implementation of the 5-year local Traveller accommodation programmes. Under the programmes the number of families on unauthorised sites reduced from 1,207 at the end of 1999 to 601 at the end of 2004 (a decrease of over 606 families).

In June, the Department issued guidelines to local authorities in relation to the preparation of new programmes to cover the period 2005 to 2008 At the end of the year local authorities were in the process of preparing these programmes which must be adopted by or on 30 April 2005.

Some €35.69 million was expended on the provision of Traveller specific accommodation (group housing and halting sites) in 2004.

During 2004, the following schemes were completed:

16 halting sites which provided 27 new bays and a further 41 bays were redeveloped/refurbished. 31 group housing schemes which provided 36 new houses and refurbished a further 34 houses. 5 combined halting site/group housing schemes which provided 12 new bays, redeveloped/refurbished 9

bays, 23 new houses and a further 2 houses were refurbished.

At the end of 2004, work was underway on progressing the following schemes: 7 schemes in progress to provide 40 new bays and redevelop/refurbish 24 bays. 11 group housing schemes to provide 75 new houses and refurbish/redevelop 1 house.

In addition, 9 houses were purchased to facilitate the accommodation needs of Travellers.

In 2004, the Department recouped to local authorities €45,720 in respect of grants paid to Travellers to assist them in the purchase/construction of a house, and €33,510 in respect of the first-time caravan buyer’s grant.

€2.94 million was recouped to local authorities in 2004 for expenditure on management and maintenance of halting sites. The Department also recouped to local authorities €2.71 million in respect of 90% of the salaries and expenses of Social Workers employed by local authorities and working with Travellers.

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During the year the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee completed it’s review, which it had been requested to undertake by the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, of the operation of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1998. The report submitted contained a number of recommendations across all aspects of the operation of the Act. The report was still under consideration at the end of the year.

Elderly and Disabled Persons A review of the Disabled Persons Grant Scheme is underway to ensure that the funding available is directed at those persons in greatest need of such assistance. A combined allocation of €73 million was made in 2004 for the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes.

Seek to ensure the existence of appropriate standards in housing provision through the following measures: promotion of housing that is sustainable, affordable, energy efficient, architecturally appropriate, uses best available construction techniques and is adaptable to changing needs over its lifetime; and, promoting the conservation and improvement of the public and private housing stock, with particular emphasis on the needs of low-income households and rundown local authority estates.

The Department continued to provide funding in 2004 for a number of major redevelopment and regeneration programmes for run-down housing areas. These include the comprehensive redevelopment of Ballymun which is the biggest regeneration project in the State. Over 100

new houses were completed in 2004 while a further 600 houses were under construction at the end of the year; the major regeneration of a number of seriously run down large flat complexes in Dublin inner city continues with

work underway on Poplar Row Phase 2 (69 new units and refurbishment of 62 flats). Work was also completed on Phase 1 of Mountainview Court (47 units) and Queen Street/Marmion Court (43 units).

the major redevelopment of Fatima Mansions which is being undertaken as a PPP project and includes the construction of about 600 new units including 150 social units.

the redevelopment of the Glen area in Cork City involving the construction of 48 new housing units and the refurbishment of 66 existing flats,

the Remedial Works Scheme which assists local authorities to fund refurbishment works to groups of their rented dwellings;

the Area Regeneration Programme operated by Dublin City Council, which consists of once off upgrading of high density older housing complexes mainly flats at various locations around the city.

Expenditure on these various regeneration programmes by local authorities amounted to almost €135 million in 2004.

Grants totalling €704,000 were paid in respect of practical pilot projects under the Housing Management Initiatives Grant Scheme in 2004. Through these grants the Department supports the efforts of local authorities, voluntary and other organisations to improve estate management. 64 projects were approved under the scheme in 2004 including staff and tenant training in estate management, research support, production of handbooks for tenants and the employment of tenant liaison officers. Financial assistance amounting to €270,000 was also provided to support the work of the Housing Unit in further promoting best practice in housing management.

In July 2004 a special programme was introduced for the installation of central heating in existing local authority rented dwellings, which lacked such facilities. The scheme is administered locally and the planning and execution of works is a matter for each local authority. Under the Programme a grant of €5,600 or up to 80% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, is payable for each house. The balance of the cost is met by the housing authority. In addition to central heating facilities the work may also include related energy improvement and smoke detection measures. Grants totalling €12 million were paid by the Department in 2004 enabling work to be undertaken on 2,900 homes.

Progress was made on the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC), with a draft action plan about to be submitted by Sustainable Energy Ireland, following work carried out by an inter-departmental working group comprised of representatives of this Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Sustainable Energy Ireland. The Directive affects housing transactions, by requiring that when dwellings are constructed, sold or rented out, an energy performance certificate is made available to the owner or by the owner to the prospective buyer or tenant.

During 2004, the Department continued to participate in a number of inter-Departmental initiatives on social inclusion with a specific focus on disadvantaged urban areas, including the National Drugs Strategy Team and

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the National Assessment Committee of the Young Peoples’ Facilities and Services Fund.

Funding for five Local Drugs Task Force projects, mainstreamed following the evaluation of Round 1 of the National Drugs Strategy, is provided via the Vote of this Department. The projects are mainly related to estate management, specifically in the area of drugs. Funding is transferred to the local authorities who have a monitoring role in relation to the projects. In 2004, €425,000 was made available for these 5 projects. An allocation of €443,000 has been included in the Department’s Vote in 2005 to provide funding to the local authorities.

The expert study on the use of timber frame housing in Irish conditions was published in December, 2003 for public consultation. The study was undertaken in the context of the need to supplement traditional methods of housing provision in Ireland in order to achieve the level of output envisaged in the National Development Plan 2000-2006, while ensuring quality construction satisfying functional requirements and fair competition in the industry.

Given the extensive nature of the findings and the recommendations in the report the Minister decided to initiate a consultation process and the study was open for comment up until April 2004 (extended from 19 March, 2004).

18 submissions were received during the consultation process and will be taken into account as implementation of the 36 TFHC Report recommendations process.

Some €735,099 in Thatching Grants were paid by the Department in 2004 to assist with the repair and maintenance of traditional thatched roofs.

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Supporting the Provision of Infrastructure and Local Services

ObjectiveTo promote and support the provision of infrastructure by local authorities, including non-national roads, fire and emergency services, library and other amenity services which support local communities.

The Provision of Infrastructure and Local Services encompasses a range of community, protective/regulatory, amenity and cultural services undertaken by local authorities. These services include fire and emergency services, non-national roads and libraries.

Details of the activities undertaken in implementing key strategies identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003-2005 for this objective are outlined below.

Key Strategies

Promote and support the implementation through local authorities of programmes for the improvement and maintenance of non-national roads.

In 2004, investment in the improvement and maintenance of the regional and local roads network continued to increase, with €480.2 million provided in grants mainly to local authorities. Taking into account local authorities’ own resources, it is estimated that approximately €630 million was spent in total on non-national roads in 2004.

The National Development Plan provides for expenditure of €2.43 billion on non-national roads in the period to 2000-2006, channelled through the Regional Operational Programmes of the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) and the Southern and Eastern (SE) Regional Assemblies - €1.08 billion in the BMW Region and €1.35 billion in the SE Region.

In the period 2000-2004, total expenditure of almost €2.1 billion in both regions was 17% ahead of profile - actual expenditure in the BMW Region was almost €865 million while actual expenditure in the SE Region was almost €1.23 billion.

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The Non-National Roads Measure of the Regional Operational Programmes is divided into three sub-measures.

EU Co-Financed Specific Improvement Grant Scheme Restoration Programme Non-National Roads Miscellaneous

The table below compares the actual outturn position at end 2004 with the end 2006 target set in respect of the BMW and SE Regions

Grant Scheme Actual Output to end 2004/Final Target to end 2006

BMW RegionalAssembly

S&E RegionalAssembly

EU Co Financed Specific Improvement Grant Scheme:. 2004 actual output 746 Kms improved 649 Kms improved

Final Target: 768 Kms Improved 832 Kms Improved

Restoration Programme:

Restoration Improvement 2004 actual output 10,577 Kms improved

9,649 kms improved

Final Target: 12,000Kms Improved 10,400Kms ImprovedRestoration Maintenance 2004 actual output 10,850 Kms

improved11,451 kms improved

Final Target: 11,750Kms Maintained

13,250Kms Maintained

Non-National Roads Miscellaneous:

No. of Low Cost Safety and Regional Traffic Management Schemes Completed

2004 actual output 309 Schemes 342 Schemes

Final Target: 207 Schemes 392 Schemes

Work continued in 2004 on a national Study on Pavement Condition and a Review of Pavement Management Systems. The purpose of the pavement condition study was to report on progress made since the first Pavement Condition Study in 1996 and to identify the extent of deficiencies remaining in the non-national road network. The review of pavement management systems, being done for the first time, was designed to review existing systems and recommend a single one for use by local authorities on the non-national road network. This is intended to assist local authorities in prioritising schemes for inclusion in the Restoration Programme. The consultants are due to finalise their work on the study and review in 2005.

€1.211 million was paid in 2004 in respect of the training programme for non-national roads staff while €1.590 million was provided to complete the upgrading of the five Regional Training Centres (located at Ballincollig, County Cork, Castlebar, County Mayo, Roscrea, County Tipperary, Stranorlar, County Donegal and Ballycoolin, County Dublin).

Assist and support local authorities in their role of ensuring that people, property and local infrastructure are protected from fire and other emergency situations.

Following a series of meetings with stakeholder groups, the Department was, at year-end, finalising a change programme to implement the key fire safety and fire services recommendations of the Report, Review of Fire Services and Fire Safety in Ireland (2002).

Expenditure in 2004 under the Fire Services Capital Programme was €19.2 million. This enabled fire authorities to:

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complete 5 fire station projects, bringing to 144 the number of fire station projects funded since 1980,

commence construction of 4 new fire stations,

take delivery of 20 new fire appliances together with some other vehicles and emergency equipment,

invite tenders for 23 new fire appliances, and

advance the Computer Aided Mobilisation Project (CAMP) towards completion and commissioning stage.

In addition, work continued in 2004 on the fire station upgrading/improvement programme, which was approved in 2002 and provides for works at 19 stations throughout the country.

Part 3 of the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003 was commenced in July 2003.  Parts I and 2, which relate to a new licensing system to be operated by fire authorities for certain indoor events, will be commenced when the necessary regulations have been finalised. At year-end, consultations with senior local authority fire officers and industry interests were at an advanced stage.

A central training programme run by the Fire Services Council, with staffing support and grant aid provided from the Department, supplements the fire authorities’ own work to develop and update the skills and knowledge of fire service personnel. During 2004, the Council organised 18 training courses catering for 496 participants.

255 fire services personnel received awards on 15 November 2004 at the national Long Service Awards Ceremony, which was organised by the Fire Services Council.

2004 saw the third successful all-island joint fire safety initiative involving participation by Northern Ireland Fire Brigade (NIFB), fire authorities throughout the country and the National Safety Council in Fire Safety Week activities. Following a positive evaluation, it is intended to continue the initiative in 2005.

The Department continued to monitor and advise local authorities on request on the preparation, co-ordination and testing of major emergency plans and dealt with related issues arising through the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and the Office of Emergency Planning.

In October, the Government Task Force mandated the Inter-Departmental Committee on Emergency Planning, which is chaired by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to carry out a review of the “Framework for a Co-ordinated Response to Major Emergencies”. The Review is being carried out by a Working Group comprised of representatives of this Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, Local Authorities and the Gárda Síochána. The Working Group aims to complete the Review in 2005.

The Department co-ordinates Ireland’s contribution at EU level on various civil protection (emergency planning) committees that consider ways of improving co-operation between Member States in emergencies.

The EU response under the Community Mechanism to the earthquake in Bam, Iran in December 2003 brought immediate impetus to the need to ensure good co-operation arrangements between the Union and the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in third countries. The Irish Presidency facilitated a number of meetings between the Commission services and UNOCHA officials in 2004 with a view to agreeing Joint Standard Operating Procedures.

The terrorist bombings in Madrid on 11 March 2004 led to immediate action under the March European Council with the EU Declaration on Terrorism and its associated Solidarity declaration. The Civil Protection Working Group, under the Irish Presidency, developed a series of measures, in particular widening the scope of the CBRN Programme to cover all forms of terrorism and updating implementation of key elements of the programme. In addition Draft Council Conclusions on the reinforcement of EU civil protection capacities were progressed by the Irish Presidency and finalised early in the Dutch Presidency in the second half of 2004.

The Irish Presidency hosted a meeting of the EU Directors General for Civil Protection in Dublin on 13-14 May 2004.

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Support local authorities in developing the public library system to enable that system to fulfil its key role in widening access to the Information Society.

Seven new public libraries opened in 2004, at Ashbourne, County Meath, Castlepollard and Athlone, County Westmeath, Westside, Galway City, Lady Lane, Waterford City, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, and Templemore, County Tipperary. This was a record number of new public libraries in any one year.

During 2004, grant-aid of €8.526 million was provided for public library capital projects while €0.914 million was paid in information and communication technology (ICT) grants to library authorities from the Information Society Fund. At the end of 2004, 29 library authorities were providing full internet access to their catalogues.

The recommendations of Branching Out - A New Public Library Service continued to be implemented in a structured fashion in 2004. Implementation of these recommendations has made a significant difference to the public library service in terms of library building projects, mobile libraries, information and communications technology, bookstock, opening hours and staff training.

Encourage and support the use of public private partnerships within the local government sector as a way of delivering infrastructure and quality public services in a timely and cost effective manner.

The Department, through the Public Private Partnership Unit, actively promotes the use of public private partnerships (PPP) for the provision of infrastructure and services within the local government sector. The use of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach encourages competition and innovation and provides an alternative procurement option that has the ability to deliver value for money and good quality public services.

In 2004 a number of major infrastructural projects that were procured using PPP were completed including the Wexford, Limerick and Cork Main Drainage schemes. Other PPP schemes completed or substantially completed include the Dungarvan Sewerage Scheme and the South Tipperary Waste Water Treatment Scheme (which is a grouped Design Build Operate (DBO) scheme). A contract was signed with Elliott Moritz in June 2004 for the re-development of Fatima Mansions, and construction is underway. The re-development of O’Devaney Gardens complex in Dublin and the construction of affordable housing units at Infirmary Road and Jamestown Road were also approved to proceed as PPPs. Bidders have been shortlisted for all 3 projects and contracts will be awarded in 2005.

PPPs also continue to play an important role in addressing Ireland's infrastructural deficit in the water services area. The DBO approach is now the preferred route for the procurement of water services treatment facilities. The Water Services Bill 2003, which is expected to be enacted in 2005, updates existing water services law to reflect these revised delivery arrangements and provides for services delivery either directly by water services authorities, or by their agents acting jointly with them, or on their behalf, under contract.

The number of projects being advanced as PPPs at the end of 2004 in the local government area is set out below:

Approved PPP Projects State of Progress at the end of 2004

Water Waste Housing Other Total

Contracts awarded and In operation 16 1 0 1 18

At construction 10 0 1 0 11

Projects approved and At procurement stage 40 3 3 2 48

At Contract Preparation 37 1 0 2 40

Total 103 5 4 5 117

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The Local Authorities PPP Seed Fund was established in 1999 to assist local authorities to explore the potential for PPPs outside the mainstream investment programmes. Funding was provided for feasibility studies or start-up costs. The final tranche of applications under this Fund was approved in December, 2004. 55 approved Fund applications are progressing, with the fund now closed to new applications.

The Local Authority Strategy for eProcurement involves a three-phase implementation plan: demonstration and capacity-building, mobilisation and programme roll-out. The first phase, which involved the development of pilot projects to demonstrate the benefits of eProcurement and to put in place the organisational and technical capacity to facilitate programme roll-out, was largely completed at the end of 2004. A review of this phase was carried out in December 2004/January 2005. It will determine how the mobilisation phase will proceed in 2005.

In 2004, the Department provided financial support amounting to €472,000 as a 50% contribution towards the cost of the programme of pilot projects developed by the Local Government Computer Services Board and participating local authorities.

Ensure regular review of performance, developments and prospects in the construction industry.

In September 2004, the Department published the Review of the Construction Industry 2003 and Outlook 2004-2006. The review indicated construction activity grew by almost 4% in 2003 and was projected to increase by a further 12% in 2004. Estimated output for 2004 was €28.2 billion, or about 24% of GNP. Construction price inflation was 7% in 2003 and is estimated to have been 6% in 2004, both figures comparing favourably with the average of 12% per annum over the period 1998 to 2000.

Direct employment in the construction sector had reached 201,000 (seasonally adjusted) in the final quarter of 2003, representing 11% of total employment. Employment showed signs of continued growth through 2004, mainly due to the continued strong performance of the house-building sector.

Facilitate partnership between public and private sector clients and the construction industry via the Forum for the Construction Industry, in improving building and procurement processes

The Forum for the Construction Industry, for which the Department supplies secretarial support, has continued its work on the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Review Committee Report ‘Building Our Future Together’ [1997] and in considering issues of strategic importance to the Industry.

In May, 2004 the Government endorsed proposals by the Minister for Finance to move towards fixed price contracts for public sector construction projects. The Forum has agreed that it will be involved in consultation between the Department of Finance and construction industry interests on the full suite of revised contract documentation for public sector construction projects resulting from the Government decision.

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Resourcing and Managing the DepartmentObjective

To support the Department’s staff in maximising their contribution to the achievement of the Department’s objectives and to develop further the strategic approach to the management of the Department.

The Department’s Second and Third Progress Reports under Sustaining Progress in 2004 confirmed the good progress being made in many areas of the modernisation programme. Towards the end of 2004 the Department submitted a Revised Action Plan which took account of changing priorities and challenges facing the Department for the duration of the public service pay agreement set out in the Mid-Term Review of Part Two of Sustaining Progress – Pay and the Workplace

Implementation of the commitments set out in the 2002 Human Resources Strategy continued during 2004.

Details of the various activities undertaken in implementing the key strategies identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003 – 2005 are outlined below.

Key Strategies

Seek to ensure that staff resources meet the operational needs of the Department.

The Government Decision of 1 July 2003, capping staff numbers in the public service and seeking reductions each year over the period 2003 – 2004, presented the Department with a particular challenge in meeting its stated goals and objectives with reduced resources. It required innovative solutions involving further efficiencies in operations.

There were 1,455 staff serving at the end of 2004 of which 1,311 were in administrative/technical grades and 144 industrial grades.

In 2004:

55 people were recruited from outside the Civil Service (47% administrative grades, 25% professional grades and 28% industrial grades). A further 26 seasonal staff were recruited at industrial grades.

23 people were recruited from within the Civil Service (91% administrative grades and 9% Professional/Technical grades)

47 staff were promoted to various positions through internal and interdepartmental processes

83 staff left the Department (resignation, retirements and transfers).

This involved turnover of 14.5% of staff.

In 2004, the Department assisted the British Council in accommodating 2 interns from the Romanian Civil Service who had expressed a wish to work for the Department under the Young Professionals Scheme.

Maintain and improve the provision of comprehensive and efficient support services for staff including accommodation, information and communications technology (ICT), equipment and accounting and finance.

Progress was made on a number of initiatives in 2004 to ensure that that the Departments staff have access to relevant and up to date information through efficient and secure information and communications technology services.

One of the significant developments for the year was the provision of technology solutions for the support of the EU Presidency. The provision of secure remote access to the Departments computer network for staff working out of the office and the installation of video conferencing facilities were two of the main successes in this area.

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A new financial management system went live on 1 January 2004 and work continued on overcoming any teething problems and rolling out the system to all sections of the Department.

New ICT developments included a system for the production of housing statistics and the implementation of Phase 1 of the Departments GIS strategy.

Further development of the Penalty points system saw the completion of an electronic interface with the Courts Service for the transfer of information on court convictions for penalty point offences.

Systems to record and track representations and general correspondence in the Minister and Ministers of State offices were completed.

The provision, maintenance and improvement of the Department’s accommodation continued throughout the year. Issues that arise are dealt with in association with the Office of Public Works and the various companies contracted to provide services to all Department’s offices.

Work progressed on the provision of accommodation for regional headquarters in Cork and Sligo. In conjunction with the Office of Public Works additional accommodation was secured in other areas throughout the country as required, while some space in Dublin reverted to OPW following consolidation of the Department’s offices.

Planning continued on a number of major projects in our offices which are designed to enhance the overall accommodation standard. Designs for the development of the Gardiner Street entrance as the main entrance to the Custom House were finalised, while the planning of additional lift facilities to improve disabled access within the building continued. It is expected that these works will commence in 2005.

Complete the integration of new functions into the Department including implementing decisions relating to the future management and operation of the heritage service.

In accordance with the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2003, responsibility for certain functions in relation to the Built Heritage was transferred to the Office of Public Works (OPW) with effect from 1 January 2004, including the transfer of 92 Professional/Admin staff and 820 Industrial staff. In May 2004, the relevant Built Heritage accounting responsibilities were successfully transferred to OPW. In addition, the remaining Heritage accounting functions, which were being processed from an Accounts Section in Dublin, were successfully integrated into the Accounts operation in Ballina.

Implement the Department's Human Resources Strategy including embedding PMDS and improving internal communications.

The Department’s Training and Development Strategy 2004-2009 Supporting Ongoing Learning was launched in October 2004. This Strategy seeks to achieve the Department’s training and development objectives in a manner that meets the skills, competency and personal development needs of staff.

A comprehensive programme of formal training courses and other supports such as attendance at conferences and seminars, schemes for the refund of professional membership fees and educational fees was provided during the year. The types of formal training courses organised included:

Communications courses including Writing Skills, Presentation Skills, SMART Reading, Irish, foreign and language skills.

Specialist Training courses e.g. Bat Identification, Safe Pass, First Aid

Personal Development e.g. CO, EO/SO Personal Development Programmes, HEO/AO Management Development Programmes

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Professional Development e.g. Payroll Technician, Masters and Diploma in Policy Analysis, Certificate in Public Administration

Training to develop IT skills both specialist and general including. MS Word, Excel and Access

Specialist training to support the implementation of the modernisation programmes including. Systems Analyst Programme, Project Control System, DATS User Acceptance Testing, financial management system.

Sustaining Progress sets 4% of payroll as the target for spending on training and development. The following table summarises the Department ‘s expenditure in 2004:

Expenditure on Training and Development €685,173

Additional support from Change Management Fund €1,366

Other Administrative Costs €514,837

Total Expenditure on Training and Development €1,201,376

Payroll €48,324,896

Training and Development as a % of Payroll 2.5%

Good progress was made on the implementation of PMDS in the Department. Preparations, including the development of documentation, for the roll out of PMDS to industrial staff were completed.

During the year, the Department’s Occupational Health Policy, which seeks to develop a healthy working environment, was launched. Other significant items relating to the implementation of the Department’s Human Resources Strategy are set out below.

A staff mobility policy was significantly progressed and as part of this policy, there were 3 moves at Assistant Secretary level and 15 moves at Principal Officer level.

Following on the success of the pilot competency-based promotion competition held in 2003 for the EO to HEO competition, the competency-based process was extended to other internal competitions, including a CO/SO to EO competition.

Work commenced in 2004 on aligning PMDS to other HR functions, including a link to the competencies for promotion competitions.

15 additional officers were trained in the skills of competency interviewing. A member of staff secured a place on the Masters in Policy Analysis programme for civil servants. The Department’s Employee Assistance Service provided a range of supports for serving and retired staff

including a comprehensive information service, confidential counselling and onward referral in cases of personal difficulties.

The recognition of Exceptional Performance by Staff Scheme provided recognition for effective teamwork for 13 groups comprising 199 members of staff, as well as 59 awards to individual members of staff.

Implement the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard for the Department's main office at the Custom House and extend it to other Departmental buildings as appropriate.

During 2004, the Custom House environmental management system continued to be implemented and developed. In June, the Department retained its accreditation to the ISO 14001:1996, the international standard for environmental management systems for its offices at the Custom House following a surveillance audit by the National Standards Authority of Ireland.

Among the achievements in the Custom House in 2004 were:

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A continued reduction in energy usage per head in the Custom House. As illustrated in the following Table there has been a reduction of over 5% between 2001 and 2004 with a corresponding reduction in associated CO2 emissions of over 17% in the same period. This performance is made up from a reduction of 1% in electricity use and an 8.3% reduction in gas heating use. This compares to commitments to reduce consumption on 2001 figures by 3% and 1% respectively by end 2005. Elsewhere, the performance of our other main offices in Ballina, Shannon and ENFO is mixed, with the latter showing downward trends in energy use per head in 2004.

The amount of waste paper collected in the Custom House for recycling rose from 6.9 tonnes in 2003 to 7.6 tonnes in 2004, an increase of 10%. Allied to the recycling collection points for drinks containers, glass, plastics and batteries around the building, and the arrangements for the re-use and recycling of waste electronic and electrical equipment, only organic canteen waste and non-recyclable office waste is sent to landfill.

Table 2 illustrates the take-up of the Annual Travelpass scheme by officers in the Dublin based offices since the scheme was introduced for 2002. 243 staff signed up for an Annual Travel Pass in 2004.

Ensure the continued development of a positive health and safety culture and practices in the interest of staff well being.

The Department’s Occupational Health Policy was launched in October 2004 covering the areas of Safety Statements, Occupational First Aid, Absence Management, Health Promotion Initiatives, Health Screenings, Employee Assistance Programme, Bullying and Harassment and Stress Management.

In order to support the implementation of the civil service policy document “A Positive Working Environment” presentations were held at 2 of the Department’s locations in 2004 in order to promote awareness of the issues of bullying and harassment in the workplace. In conjunction with this awareness programme an additional 12 officers were trained in the skills required to investigate allegations of this nature and 1 officer was trained in mediation skills.

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The Department continued to support other arrangements to assist staff to achieve a Work/Life Balance by providing access to a range of schemes, including career breaks, an extended Flexible Working Hours scheme, the Worksharing Scheme and the Term Time Scheme.

At end of 2004 there were 125 staff availing of the various Worksharing options. The table below sets out staff participation under the various options.

2004 - Participation in Worksharing OptionsOption Number of staff9am to 3pm 7Week on/week off 102 ½ Days a Week 33 Days on / 2 Days off 314 Day Week 263 Day Week 13Half Day on / Half Day off 32Other 3

Term Time continued to be a popular choice for staff in 2004 with 35 staff availing of the scheme. To cover staff who were acting-up for those availing of Term Time, 15 temporary clerical staff were recruited.

Continue to progress the public service modernisation programme.

The Partnership Committee met on 7 occasions, with it’s work programme focused particularly on progressing the Public Service Modernisation Programme set out in Sustaining Progress: Social Partnership Agreement 2003-2005.

Under the auspices of the partnership committee, the Department prepared Second and Third Progress Reports under Sustaining Progress which confirmed the good progress being made in many areas of the modernisation programme. Also as required by the Sustaining Progress: Mid-Term Review, the Department submitted it’s Revised Action Plan to the Department of Finance on 5 November 2004.

Develop an enhanced financial and management information system.

As part of the Management Information Framework (MIF) the Department has implemented a new integrated and flexible financial management system: a tier one system that will meet its financial reporting requirements into the foreseeable future. The new system ‘went live’ in January 2004 and is currently being ‘bedded in’ across all sections of the Department. End-user system training and refresher training has been and will continue to be provided.

The i_Expenses module, which enables staff to process their travel and subsistence claims electronically, is being rolled out on a pilot basis in the Department. Once the pilot phase is completed, i_Expenses will be rolled out across the Department.

The new system facilitates dual accounting (i.e. both cash and accrual based) which will facilitate better decision-making about the allocation of resources, more efficient and effective management of resources once allocated and greater transparency in and accountability for the use of resources. A number of customised reports have been developed and are being used by section managers to manage budgets and control expenditure. Further work on report development, which will include linking financial and non-financial information, is planned for 2005.

Review of expenditure programmes to identify the extent to which objectives are being met and to provide a basis for reordering priorities.

The Department, through the Internal Audit Unit, completed 5 systems audits and 9 verification checks of EU co-financed operations which the Department is involved in managing during 2004

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During the year the Department established an Audit Committee comprising five members which held 3 meetings. The role of the Audit Committee is to advise the Accounting Officer on the financial reporting process, internal control, risk management and audit matters, as part of the continuing systematic review of the control environment and governance procedures within the Department.

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Serving Our CustomersObjective

To provide a very high level of quality customer service which takes account of changing needs and expectations.

During 2004, the Department continued to provide quality services to its customers across a wide range of activities including the provision of policy advice, improved coordination with key partners such as local authorities and agencies and the delivery of particular services directly to the public through a channel of choice. In June 2004 the Department published a bilingual Customer Charter.

Details of the activities undertaken in implementing the key strategies identified in the Statement of Strategy 2003-2005 are outlined below.

Key Strategies

Implement the Customer Service Action Plan.

The Customer Service Action Plan 2001-2004 for the Department and specific sections of A Strategy for Enhanced Customer Service 2001-2004 for the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands detail the Department’s approach to adopting the Government’s 12 Quality Customer Service Principles and incorporates performance indicators for each Principle. Following the launch of the Customer Charter in June 2004 work commenced on the development of a Customer Service Action Plan for the period 2005-2007.

During 2004, ENFO continued to provide easy access to information on the environment and sustainable lifestyle choices in line with the Department’s Customer Service Action Plan 2001-2004. A Customer Services Officer ensures that quality customer service is fully integrated into all ENFO services. Comment cards are available on an ongoing basis to obtain customers’ views on the services provided. As part of the Department’s commitment to delivering a quality service to all its customers, ENFO answers requests as quickly as possible and in a friendly and efficient manner. Straightforward queries are answered on a daily basis and the more complex ones within a few days. Details of ENFO’s activities are outlined in the Environment section of this Report.

Progress on the achievement of the performance indicators for each of the Quality Customer Service Principles is set out below.

Quality Service StandardsThe Customer Charter which was published by the Department in June 2004 identified service standards which customer can expect to receive. Further details in relation to the evaluation of the Charter are included under the Consultation and Evaluation Principle below

Details of the ISO 14001 accreditation is outlined in the Resourcing and Managing of the Department section of this report.

The Department’s motortax.ie site won the Best Government to Citizen category at the Innovation Through Technology Awards. There were some 200 entries for the category and the award was tacit recognition of the enormous success of the online motor tax service. The site took over €100 million in its first ten months of operation and now accounts for over one fifth of eligible motor tax transactions. The site is also one of the Ireland’s top five in terms of visitor numbers.

Equality/DiversityThe Department worked closely with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the drafting of the Disability Bill 2004 and in the drafting and publication of this Department’s Outline Sectoral Plan under the Disability Bill. The Plan sets out national objectives and guidelines with regard to access to local authority services and built facilities as well as to heritage sites managed by the Department.

In relation to meeting the Government’s equality policies targets:

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At end 2004, the gender breakdown for Assistant Principal Officers was 31.3% female and 68.7% male.

The Disability Liaison Officer appointed in 2003 continued to progress the equality agenda. The role of the Disability Liaison Officer is to provide information, guidance and assistance, as required, to staff with disabilities and to supervisors to whom a person with a disability is assigned.

The Department continued to exceed Government equality targets in relation to the employment of disabled persons.

The Department supported “Anti-Racist Workplace Week” during 2004 and a member of staff who is a native South African gave a presentation entitled 'Racism, Corrosion and the Human Spirit' which provided a personal perspective of the effect of racism on the human spirit .

Physical AccessAccess for people with disabilities is provided for in the Department’s offices at the Custom House, Ely Place, Dun Sceine, Ballina, Shannon, ENFO and Irish Life. Arrangements are being put in place, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, to further enhance access within the Department’s offices. The Office of Public Works commissioned an access review of the Custom House which will cover visual and hearing impairment, learning difficulties, cognitive and mobility impairment as well as wheelchair users. In addition to enhancing access in the Custom House it is expected that the results of the review will also provide a basis for action, where necessary, in the Department’s other locations.

InformationDuring 2004, a total of 112 Freedom of Information requests were received in the Department. The breakdown of these requests is outlined in the chart below. 12 decisions were appealed to internal review: in 8 of these, the Internal Reviewer upheld the decision taken by the original decision-maker, and in 4 cases the original decision was varied. During 2004, 7 cases were appealed to the Information Commissioner: in 1 of these cases the Commissioner upheld the Department’s decision; the remaining 6 cases were under review at the end of the year. There were 7 requests where the records were not held. This included 3 records that did not exist or cannot be found, 1 record outside the scope of the act and 3 records that were not under control of this Department.

Timeliness and CourtesyThe Vehicle Registration Unit (VRU) has specific commitments in the Customer Service Action Plan in relation to service delivery targets for issue of motor tax renewal/reminder notices and Vehicle Registration Certificates

Progress in terms of these commitments, and information in relation to a number of customer-focused initiatives which were realised in 2004, are set out below:

- the online motor tax facility was extended nationwide from 1 March 2004, following its successful operation on a pilot basis in 2003. In the ten month period, March to December 2004, the online service accounted for over 15% of overall motor tax business nationwide and in the case of Dublin, nearly 25%. Online discs are issued centrally from the VRU to the vehicle owner within 24 hours of using the service.

The success of the service was acknowledged through its nomination for the e-government “Irish Internet Netvisonary” Award and its winning the “Innovation through Technology” Award for 2004.

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3.2 million motor tax reminder/renewal notices were issued in 2004, representing an increase of 200,000 or 6% on 2003. The target set in the Customer Service Action Plan for the issuing of Motor Tax Reminder/Renewal Notices was exceeded with over 97% of notices issued at least 15 days prior to the due date – see chart following.

Issue of Motor Tax Reminder/Renewal Notices in 2004

557,000 Vehicle Registration Certificates (VRC) issued to new owners of previously registered vehicles during 2004, representing a 12% increase over 2003. A breakdown of VRCs issued against the target set in the Customer Service Action Plan is set out in the chart following.

235,000 VRCs were issued to owners of new vehicles in 2004. 100% were issued within 2 days of first taxing, which greatly exceeds the target set out in the Customer Service Action Plan,

the introduction of the new Vehicle Registration Certificate (in accordance with the EU Directive 1999/37/EC) in partnership with the Revenue Commissioners in June 2004. The new certificate replaces two separate documents,

the average numbers of days to process change of ownership notifications was 5 days,

235,000 enquires from members of the public regarding vehicle ownership were dealt with through the call centre specifically set up for this purpose. This represented an increase of 43% or 100,000 calls over 2003.

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Internally in the VRU the establishment of a dedicated Helpdesk to provide first line support for approximately 750 users (in motor tax offices throughout the country and internally in the VRU) in the processing of all motor tax and driving licence business.

ComplaintsThe Department monitored the number and nature of complaints received during 2004. A total of 187 complaints were received in the Department including complaints from the Office of the Ombudsman. All staff have access to the Guide for Staff in Handling Complaints which aims to provide assistance to staff in handling complaints and should assist also in monitoring and improving the level of service being provided to the Department’s customers.

AppealsAs indicated above under the Information principle 7 appeals were made to the Information Commissioner about decisions relation to Freedom of Information requests during 2004.

Consultation and EvaluationThe development of a Customer Charter continued in early 2004 with a survey of a random sample of 600 of the Department’s external customers. Following consideration of the responses received and the results of the previous surveys of our agencies and local authorities, which were conducted in 2003, a Customer Charter was published in June 2004.

As part of the evaluation of the Customer Charter a further survey of a random sample of the Department’s external customers was carried out in May 2005. A repeat survey of the local authorities and the Department’s agencies was also carried out in June, 2005. The responses to both surveys will be reported on in the 2005 Annual Report.

The Department continued to implement its Programme for Reform of legislation throughout 2004: 6 Acts, 29 Regulations and 14 Orders – details are outlined at Appendix 1.

The Department was represented on a Better Regulation sub-group which was formed in 2004 to oversee the development of guidelines to promote better quality public consultation.

ChoiceQuarter 1 of 2004 saw the completion of the eGovernment motor tax online system. Further enhancements such as change of ownership and taxing of new vehicles are planned for 2005/2006.

Official Languages EqualitySection 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003 provides for the preparation by public bodies of a statutory scheme detailing the services they will provide, through the medium of Irish, through the medium of English, and through the medium of Irish and English and the measures to be adopted to ensure that any service not provided by the body through the medium of the Irish language will be so provided within an agreed timeframe.

The Department published a notice under Section 13 of the Act on 22 October 2004, inviting representations in relation to the preparation of the draft scheme from any interested parties. Some 21 submissions were received. The scheme will be informed by these submissions and views and suggestions put forward by staff in the various Divisions of the Department.

Four information sessions, presented by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, were organised to provide staff with information on the requirements of the Official Languages Act 2003, designed to ensure better availability and a higher standard of public services through Irish.

During 2004, the staff nominated to deal with the Department’s customers through Irish recorded 183 requests from customers for a service to be provided in Irish. The Department continued to provide publications bilingually including the Annual Report 2003 and the Customer Charter and details are outlined in Appendix 2.

A Staff Guide is available to assist staff in arranging for the translation of documents into Irish.

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Better CoordinationIntensive consultation with local authorities has become the norm with arrangements in place for structured dialogue at official and political levels, as well as specialised working groups for particular tasks.

Internal CustomerDuring 2004, the ICT helpdesk dealt with almost 5,000 calls from staff throughout the Department and the majority of calls were dealt with on a same day/next day basis thereby meeting our customer service targets.

A new video conferencing facility is now available for use by staff in the Department’s offices in Dublin and Ballina. This facilitates meetings between either office and also enables connection to external locations from either site.

Support the Parliamentary process and the operation of Government business.

In 2004, a total of 2,314 parliamentary questions (1,723 written and 591 orals) were responded to and answers were also provided for 34 Adjournment debates (24 in the Dáil and 10 in the Seanad).

Party leaders were invited to make nominations to the informal All-Party Oireachtas Committee on Seanad reform, to be chaired by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the aim of establishing the extent of cross-party agreement on the recommendations of the April 2004 Seanad Sub-Committee’s report on Seanad Reform and to advance, with consensus, proposals for implementation. As part of the overall Government regulatory framework for standards in public life, the report by the Institute of Public Administration on the Regulation of Lobbyists in Developed Countries was published in June 2004. Following on from this, further more detailed research is being commissioned by the Department on those states which have formal systems in place

Enhance access to and delivery of information and service to the Department's customers through the use of technology.

The Sharepoint system which facilitates the electronic circulation of circulars to local authorities went live in January 2004 for all new circulars being issued to local authorities. Following an initial bedding in period, where circulars were issued in hard copy to facilitate local authority users, the system is now fully operational.

The Vehicle Registration Unit (VRU) continued to provide a very high level of quality customer service to its customers. Progress in terms of commitments in the Customer Service Action Plan in relation to service delivery targets, and information in relation to a number of customer-focused initiatives which were realised in 2004, are set out above under key strategy Implement the Customer Service Action Plan

Achieve better regulation by improving the process of policy formulation, ensuring legislative quality and enhancing the effectiveness and coherence of regulation.

In continuing to pursue its Better Regulation Programme the Department participated in the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Working Group to progress the development of a draft model RIA for implementation in the Irish Public service. The Department participated in piloting RIA on the EU Groundwater Directive which will provide for mutual learning and best practice in the area of regulatory reform.

The Department participated in the consultation exercise on the repeal of a number of pre-1922 Acts prior to the publication by the Statute Law Revision Unit of the Office of the Attorney General of the Statute Law Revision (Pre-1922) Bill 2004.

Enactment of the Water Services, Bill 2003 will mark another milestone in the ongoing process of regulatory reform, which has already seen the planning code and the local government administrative code updated and consolidated in recent years. The enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 will assist in progressing the Affordable Housing Initiative.

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The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides an effective and modern regulatory framework for the private rented housing sector.

Ensure good two-way cooperation and communication with local authorities.

The Department and local authority interface arrangements involving senior departmental and local authority officials continued in 2004. The aim of these arrangements is to facilitate better co-operation and communication between the local authorities and the Department in both policy formulation and delivery of programmes.

Maintain good consultation with the local government representative associations.

In 2004, the Department continued its constructive liaison arrangements with the local government representative associations through joint action and consultation in a number of key areas. Such contacts continued to contribute positively to the role of elected members in local government in 2004

Consultations continued with various stakeholders (rural water sector, IBEC, local authorities, etc) in the context of the Water Services Bill 2003 and roll out of the Government’s Water Services Pricing Policy Framework.

During 2004, the Department and a sub-group of the City and County Managers Association formed a Working Group to review and, where necessary, to recommend changes in existing procedures in order to optimise efficient advancement of water services infrastructure projects. The Working Group will report in the Autumn of 2005.

The Rural Water Programme continues to be implemented under a partnership framework, involving co-operation between the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, the Rural Organisations (IFA, ICMSA, ICA), the local authorities and the Department.

The Department continued to work closely with the Local Government Computer Services Board in 2004 on the development of computer based project management systems for water services infrastructure projects.

The Department is also continuing to liaise with the Board on the development of the water services Complete Information System (CIS), to assist local authorities to maintain modern and up to date records of water services systems using standard data collection measures.

Ensure the effective operation of the agencies under our aegis.

During 2004, the Department liaised with those agencies for which it has pay responsibilities on the preparation of their 2nd and 3rd Progress Reports on their Action Plans under the terms of Sustaining Progress. Following the submission of these Progress Reports, the Secretary General considered that sufficient progress has been demonstrated to justify payment of the general round increases to eligible staff on 1 July and 1 December 2004.

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Part 3 Appendices

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Appendix 1Legislative Activity

Details of the legislative activity for the Department during 2004 are set out below.

Acts of the Oireachtas

Number Title Description2 European Parliament

Elections (Amendment) Act 2004

The purpose of the Act was to implement the recommendations of the Constituency Commission Report 2003 on changes to the European Parliament constituencies and to give effect to Council decisions of 25 June and 23 September 2002 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament

15 Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004

The purpose of the Act is to provide in primary legislation (rather than by way of Ministerial Orders as envisaged under section 48 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001) for the conduct of European Parliament, local and presidential elections and referendums using voting machines and electronic vote counting. The Act also provides for the establishment on a statutory basis of the independent Commission on Electronic Voting.

22 National Monuments Amendment) Act 2004

The Act to clarifies the roles of the various Ministers with responsibilities for archaeological heritage and provides for the regulation of archaeological works associated with approved road developments.

27 Residential Tenancies Act 2004

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides for legislative reform of the private rented sector, based on the recommendations of a Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector published in July 2000. Main provisions include: a new dispute resolution service through a Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) instead of the Courts; a national tenancy registration system through the PRTB; rent determination by the PRTB; statutory rights and obligations of landlords and tenants, including improved security of tenure through a system of 4-year tenancy cycles; new tenancy termination procedures, including longer notice periods linked to length of tenancy; voluntary renunciation of the right to long-occupation equity leases; higher penalties for offences relating to standards and registration of private rented accommodation.

39 Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Act 2004

This Act underpinned the discretion given to the Tribunal in its amended terms of reference as to which issues it should investigate or bring to public hearing.

43 Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004

An Act to extend the control on the resale of certain dwellings and land. It allows the local/planning authority to place the claw-back as a charge on an affordable housing property. Previously, the charge was placed on the local authority loan. It will allow private financial institutions access to the affordable housing mortgage market and facilitate the direct sale of affordable housing units to eligible persons nominated by the local authority.

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Regulations

SI No

Title Description

10 European Communities (National Emission Ceilings) Regulations 2004

These regulations transpose Directive 2001/81/EC of 23rd October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants into national law. The Regulations specify national emission ceilings for sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds and ammonia to be achieved by 2010. They provide for the preparation of a national strategy with the aim of complying with the ceilings and the preparation and reporting of annual national emission inventories and projections by the Environmental Protection Agency

53 Ozone in Ambient Air Regulations 2004

These Regulations transpose Directive 2002/3/EC of 12th February 2002 relating to ozone in ambient air into national law. The Regulations specify target values and long-term objectives to be attained for concentrations of ozone in ambient air. They provide for advice by the Environmental Protection Agency to local authorities about the need for air quality management plans to attain the target values or long-term objectives, and the preparation of such plans by local authorities. Provision is also made for air pollution action plans for short-term risks of exceedances of the ozone alert threshold. The Regulations also provide for the dissemination of public information, including where the alert threshold is, or is predicted to be exceeded

54 Genetically Modified Organisms (Transboundary Movement) Regulations 2004

These Regulations give effect to Regulation No.1946/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 July 2003 on transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms. The Regulations create three competent authorities – the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of deliberate release and contained use of GMOs; the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in respect of GMOs intended for direct use as food or for processing; and the Department of Agriculture and Food in respect of GMOs intended for animal feed.

85 Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations amend the prescribed form of Commencement Notice which must generally be served on the local building control authority – prior to the start of work on the construction of new buildings or the material alteration of, or extension to, existing buildings.

86 Nature Reserve (Fenor Bog) Recognition Order 2004

The Order recognises the land at Fenor Bog, County Waterford, as a nature reserve so that it can be managed in such a way as to ensure the conservation of the swamp, fen and bog ecosystem which it constitutes.

87 Electoral Act 1997 (Section 3) Order 2004

Provided for the setting of a limit of €230,000 for the aggregate election expenses for a candidate in any European Parliament constituency

123 Containment of Nuclear Weapons Act 2003 Regulations 2004

These Regulations are aimed at ensuring that Ireland will meet its obligations under the 1998 Protocol additional to the 1973 Agreement (Nuclear Safeguards Agreement) between the Non-Nuclear Weapons States of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom); Euratom and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

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Weapons (NPT). 127 Environmental Protection

Agency (Selection Procedures) Regulations 2004

These Regulations set out the procedures to be adopted by the committee, which was established to select candidates for the appointment to be the Director General, or director of the Environmental Protection Agency and deal with related matters

128 Housing (Floor Area Compliance Certificate Inspection) Regulations 2004

These Regulations provide for the manner of measurement of floor area and the quality standards to be applied to new housing for eligibility for stamp duty concessions under the Stamp Duty Consolidation Act 1999

152 Planning and Development Act 2000 (Commencement) Order 2004

This order commenced section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which relates to the control of quarries.

170 Referendum Commission (Establishment) Order 2004

Provided for the establishment of a Referendum Commission for the purposes of the Referendum on the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004.

175 Electoral (Amendment) Regulations 2004

These regulations amended the specified documents which a voter may be required to produce at a polling station to include a Temporary Residence Certificate card and a Garda National Immigration Bureau card. These identity documents, together with a travel document containing name and photograph, were also added to the list of documents required by a registered elector in a constituency or local electoral area in order to assent to a nomination paper lodged by certain candidates

178 Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Scheme 2004

This Scheme amends the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme, 1998 to provide for the internal resolution of disputes and complaints by local authorities and other bodies to which the scheme applies.

202 Air Pollution Act 1987 (Environment Specifications for Petrol and Diesel Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations amend the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Environmental Specifications for Petrol and Diesel Fuels) Regulations 2003 which, in turn, transpose Directive 2003/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 March 2003 amending Directive 98/79/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels. The amendment extends the powers of prosecution for breaches of the environmental specifications of petrol and diesel fuels by officers of the Revenue Commissioners in time, not alone from 1 January 2005 when new standards will apply with regard to the sulphur content of such fuels, but to breaches of the existing specifications from the entry into force of these Regulations on 10 May 2004.

203 European Parliament Elections (Forms) Regulations 2004

Provided for the use of certain forms at elections of members to the European Parliament.

204 European Parliament Ballot Paper (Photographs and Emblems) Regulations 2004

These regulations prescribe the requirements for the provision of photographs to returning officers by candidates at a European Parliament election and for the provision of emblems by political parties to the Registrar of Political Parties for their registration in the Register of Political Parties. The regulations amended the form of the ballot paper specified in the Fourth Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 to 2004

213 Road Vehicles (Registration These Regulations facilitate the introduction of the single document,

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and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

called a "registration certificate", required under EU Directive 1993/37/EC which replaces the two documents (i.e. the vehicle registration certificate and the vehicle licensing certificate) used when registering and taxing a vehicle for the first time. The single document will be issued by the Department's Vehicle Registration Unit in Shannon, County Clare, which houses the national vehicle file.

215 Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 (Commencement Order) 2004

Provided for the bringing into operation on 19 May 2004 of Parts 1 and 3 and certain sections of Part 4 and Schedule 5 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004. Part 3 and Schedule 5 provided for the establishment of the Commission on Electronic Voting on a statutory basis.

216 Local Government Act 2001 (Section 161) Order 2004

This order specifies the classes, descriptions or grades of employments to which section 161(1) of the Local Government Act 2001 will apply.

217 Local Government Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2004

This order provides for the commencement of further provisions of Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 relating to an ethical framework for the local government service and for certain repeals.

218 Housing (Transfer of Functions) (No 2) Order 1993 (Amendment) Order 2004

This order transfers back to Wexford County Council certain functions performed by Wexford Borough Council, as respects their functional area, in relation to the granting of shared ownership leases.

237 Electoral Act 1992 (Section 165) Regulations 2004

These Regulations made certain provisions in relation to the Referendum, the European Parliament elections and the local elections which were held on the 11th day of June 2004, in order to facilitate the taking of the polls at these elections and the referendum on the same day.

393 Protection of the Environment Act 2003 (Commencement) Order 2004

This Order brings into effect specified provisions of the 2003 Act for the purpose of ensuring that the IPPC and waste licensing systems operated by the Environmental Protection Agency comply in all respects with the provisions of Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control

394 Environmental Protection Agency (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations amend the Environmental Protection Agency (Licensing) Regulations 1994 for the purpose of ensuring that integrated licensing system operated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (as amended by the Protection of the Environment Act 2003) complies in all respects with the provisions of Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.

395 Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004

These Regulations provide for the continued operation of the system of licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency of waste recovery and disposal activities under Part V of the Waste Management Act, 1996. The Regulations set out procedures for the making of waste licence applications, reviews of licences and consideration by the Agency of objections, including the holding of oral hearings. These Regulations also provide for the licensing of mobile plant used for the recovery and disposal of waste at more than one site. The Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2000 (save for articles 3 and 4 and the First Schedule), Waste Management (Licensing)(Amendment) Regulations 2001, Waste Management (Licensing)(Amendment)

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Regulations 2002 and European Communities (Amendment of Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2000) Regulations 2002 are revoked.

410 Environmental Protection Agency (Licensing Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations amend certain provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency (Licensing Fees) Regulations 1994 in respect of fees for integrated pollution prevention and control licence applications and related activities.

435 European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004

These Regulations transpose Directive 2001/42/EC- known as the SEA Directive and details plans and programmes, except land-use planning, that the Directive applies to.

436 Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations transpose Directive 2001/42/EC- known as the SEA Directive in relation to the land-use planning sector.

437 European (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading) Regulations 2004

These Regulations transpose EU Directive 2003/87/EC of 13 th October 2003, which establish a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amend Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control, into national law. They establish the procedures for participation by specified Irish installations in the European Union greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme from 1st January 2005.

440 Urban Waste Water Treatment (Amendment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations amend the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 by -(a) designating two additional areas (in Cork Harbour) as sensitive

areas, and(b) making some minor technical amendments.The Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 impose requirements in relation to discharges from urban waste water treatment facilities and give effect to Directive No. 91/271/EEC (the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive) and Directive No. 2000/60/EC (the Water Framework Directive).

441 Electoral Act 1997 (Section 53) Order 2004

Provided for the setting of a limit of €1,300,000 for the aggregate election expenses of a candidate in a presidential election.

442 Presidential Election (Reimbursement of Expenses) Regulations 2004

Provided for the reimbursement to a candidate at a Presidential Election, who was elected or who secured votes in excess of one quarter of the quota, of his/her actual expenses incurred or €260,000 whichever was the less.

505 Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (Commencement) Order 2004

This Order brings into operation on 1st September 2004 the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 other than Parts 2, 3 and 6 and some related sections.

525 Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (Establishment Day) Order 2004

This Order sets 1st September 2004 as the establishment day for the statutory Private Residential Tenancies Board.

533 Presidential Elections (Forms) Regulations 2004

Provided for the use of certain forms at a Presidential Election including the requirements for the provision of photographs to the Presidential Returning Officer by candidates at the Presidential Election.

78

649 Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (Section 202) Regulations 2004

These Regulations provide for the non-inclusion of the statement referred to in section 62(1)(g) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 in notices of termination served before Part 6 of the Act came into operation.

659 Derelict Sites (Urban Areas) Regulations 2004

These Regulations prescribe certain areas in Counties Cork, Limerick, Meath, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Waterford and Westmeath to be urban areas for the purposes of the Derelict Sites, 1990.

697 Building Regulations Advisory Body Order 2002 (Amendment) Order 2004

Appointed a member to fill a vacancy on the BRAB which arose due to the retirement of an existing member.

713 Air Pollution Act 1987(Marketing Sale and Distribution of Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations amend the Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 111 of 2003). They vary the areas of Tralee in which the sale of bituminous coal is prohibited and they came into force on 15th November 2004.

750 Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (Commencement) (No 2) Order 2004

This Order brings into operation on 6th December 2004 the remaining provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

751 Housing (Rent Books) Regulations 2003(Amendment) Regulations 2004

These Regulations amend the Schedule to the 1993 Rent Books Regulations for compatibility with the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

770 Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2004

These Regulations revoke and replace the Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 582 of 2002) and Local Government Act 2001 (Part 15) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 73 of 2003). They prescribe the classes of local authority employees to whom the provisions of Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 regarding an ethical framework apply. In addition, the Regulations prescribe the annual declaration form for relevant employees and members of local authorities, which includes an undertaking to have regard to the relevant Code of Conduct.

816 Environmental Protection Agency (Advisory Committee) Regulations 2004

These Regulations prescribe the various organisations for the purposes of selecting candidates for consideration for appointment by the Minister as members of the Advisory Committee of the Environmental Protection Agency and to deal with related matters.

79

Appendix 2 Publications

The publications produced by the Department during 2004 are detailed below. All publications are available on the Department's website, www.environ.ie except where indicated. Those publications which have a charge may be purchased directly from the Government Publications Sales Office (details at the end of this Appendix); and those publications which are free are available from the Department.

Full details of the Department's publications including availability and prices are available on the Department's website or from the Press and Information Unit, details at Appendix 5.

A Study on the Application of Economic Instruments on Specified Materials / Products (February 2004) - FreeA Survey of juvenile lamprey populations in the Moy catchment - FreeAnnual Report 2003 Free

Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin 2004 - €3.94

Archaeological Investigations in Galway City: 1987 – 1998 – part funded by Department www.wordwell.ie

City Neighbourhood Competition Brochure & Guidelines Free from Tidy Towns Unit, DoEHLG, Not available on web

Code of Conduct for Councillors - Free

Code of Conduct for Local Authority Employees - Free

Constituency Commission – Report on Dáil Constituencies, 2004 - €20

Customer Charter - Free

Delivering Value for People – Service Indicators in Local Authorities - Free

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Outline Sectoral Plan Under the Disability Bill, 2004- €3

Draft National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste (April 2004) - Free

Draft National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste – Summary Factsheet (April 2004) -Free

Draft Best Practice Guidelines on the Preparation of Waste Management Plans for Construction and Demolition Waste (September 2004) - Free

Environment Bulletin issues 59, 60, 61,62 - Free

Guidelines for Local Authorities in the Preparation of Corporate Plans 2004 – 2009 - Free

Guidelines for Road Drainage - Free

Housing Policy Review 1990 – 2002 - €8

Housing Leaflets;

Private Rented Sector Tenants of 20 or more years Occupancy/Private rented Sector Tenants approaching 20 years Occupancy/Successor Tenants in the Formerly Rent Controlled Sector -Free

Registration of Tenancies - Free

The PRTB Dispute Resolution Service – Free www.prtb.ie

80

Information Leaflets/Guides on Heritage Sites Ben Bullben Special Area of Conservation - Free Derrylahan Nature Trail, Glenveagh National Park - €1.50 Glengarriff Woods Walking Trails - 50c Gweedore Bay Special Area of Conservation - Free Mammals of the Park , Wicklow Mountains National Park. - 50c N.Inishowen Special Area of Conservation - Free Reptiles - 50c RossIsland Mining Trail, Killarney National Park - €1.50 Tory Island Coast Special Area of Conservation - Free Wildflowers in the Park , Wicklow Mountains National Park - 50cImplementation of SEA Directive (2001/42/EC): Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment – Guidelines for Regional Authorities and Planning Authorities. €3.50IPA Regulation of Lobbyists in Developed Countries Current Rules and Practices - Free

Ireland’s Best Kept Towns Competition Brochure Free from Tidy Towns Unit of the Department.

Irish Field Monuments - €1.27

Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure Consultation Document Free. www.irishspatialstrategy.ie.

Local Government and the Elected Member - €5

Loft Conversion-Protect Your Family - advisory leaflet - Free

Margaritifera margaritifera: Stage 1 and Stage 2 survey guidelines -Free

National Inventory of Architectural HeritageIntroduction to the Architectural Heritage of Waterford, €12 www.wordwellbooks.com

Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of Wicklow, €12 www.wordwellbooks.com

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of County Carlow - www.buildingsofireland.ie

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of County Leitrim www.buildingsofireland.ie

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of County Roscommon www.buildingsofireland.ie

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Wicklow www.buildingsofireland.ie

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Waterford www.buildingsofireland.ie

National Overview of Waste Management Plans - FreeNational Survey of Native Woodland in Ireland - FreePart L and TGD-L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) – consultation document - Free

Quarries and Ancillary Activities – Guidelines for Planning Authorities - €2.50

Regular National Report on Housing Developments in European Countries – Synthesis Report - €20

Residential Tenancies Act – A Quick Guide - Free

Review and Evaluation of the Pilot Social Inclusion Units - Free

Review of the Operation of Strategic Policy Committees - Free

Revised Technical Guidance Document C (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture) - Free

Summary of National Parks and Wildlife Service surveys for common (harbour) seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), 1978 to 2003 - Free

Sustainable Rural Housing: Consultation Draft of Guidelines for Planning Authorities - Free The status and distribution of lamprey and shad in the Slaney and Munster Blackwater SACs - FreeTidy Towns' Handbook - Free www.tidytowns.ie

Tidy Towns' Competition Brochure - Free www.tidytowns.ie

81

Tidy Towns' Results Book 2004 – Free www.tidytowns.ie

Tidy Towns' Race Against Waste Project Brochure - Free

Waste Management – Taking Stock and Moving Forward - FreeWaste Management Leaflets Biological Treatment of Waste - Free Composting is Easy - Free Incineration – Free Integrated Waste Management - Free Landfill - Free

ENFO PublicationsLeaflets:FoxesCommon InsectsHares and RabbitsDeer in IrelandSustainable BuildingClimate Change ImpactsClimate Change PolicyClimate Change Science

Posters:Hedgerow Animals (Bilingual)Hedgerow Flowers (Bilingual) Hedgerow Eco-system (Bilingual)Hedgerow Birds (Bilingual)5 Whale and Dolphin Identification posters

CalendarENFO 2004 Calendar

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES OFFICE (for purchasing those publications which have a charge)

Direct Sale :Government Sales Office,Molesworth Street,Dublin 2.Tel. (01) 671 0309

By Post :Government Supplies Agency,Publications Branch,4 - 5 Harcourt Road,Dublin 2.Tel. (01) 661 3111

82

Appendix 3Financial Statements

Basis of AccountsThe accounts of the financial transactions of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are prepared in accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1866 and accounting rules and procedures laid down by the Minister for Finance. The following financial statements are detailed below:

2004 Appropriation Account with some additional columns; Operating Cost Statement; Statement of Assets and Liabilities; Statement of Capital Assets; and Statement of Prompt Payment of Accounts.

The 2004 Appropriation Account is a cash-based record of the Receipts and Payments in the year compared with the Estimate Provision, with the addition of information of an accruals nature. In addition, the Estimate Provision for 2005 is also shown. Any part of the authorised expenditure left unexpended at the year-end is surrendered to the Exchequer.

For 2004 the Department has a gross outturn of €2,258,887 million and income of €30,271 million, leaving the net outturn of €2,228,616 million. The Administrative Budget outturn was €81,409 million of which salaries accounted for €62,325 million (76.5%).

The Operating Cost Statement is provided to show on an accruals basis, in the context of stated accounting policies and principles, the total amount of resources consumed by the Department in 2004. It produces an operating cost figure by a series of adjustments to the cash-based outturn figure produced by the Appropriation Account.

The Statement of Assets and Liabilities provides details of Capital Assets, Assets under Development and the Net Liability to the Exchequer.

The Statement of Capital Assets provides details of the opening and closing values of Capital Assets on the Department’s Asset Register and details of Depreciation.

The Statement of Prompt Payment of Accounts provides details of the interest payments which were incurred and paid in 2004.

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Appendix 32004 Appropriation Account

Account of the sum expended, in the year ended 31 December 2004, compared with the sum granted and of the sum which may be applied as appropriations-in-aid in addition thereto, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, including grants to Local Authorities, grants and other expenses in connection with housing, and miscellaneous schemes, subsidies and grants.

2004 2004 2004 2005Service Estimate Outturn Closing Estimate

Provision Accruals Provision€'000 €'000 €'000 €'000

ADMINISTRATIONA.1. Salaries, Wages and Allowances 61,458 62,325 - 65,070

A.2. Travel and Subsistence 3,173 3,017 118 2,854

A.3. Incidental Expenses 2,138 2,525 (3) 2,290

A.4. Postal and Telecommunications Services 2,135 1,790 85 1,500

A.5. Office Machinery and Other Office Supplies 6,700 6,867 111 8,607

A.6. Office Premises Expenses 1,583 1,486 31 1,300

A.7. Consultancy Services 461 451 - 465

A.8. Information Society 1,200 474 (12) 1,240

A.9. EU Presidency 2,093 2,474 - -

HOUSINGB.1. Local Authority and Social Housing Programmes 1,048,890 1,006,650 2,560 1,190,359

B.2. Private Housing Grants and Subsidies etc. 74,122 61,269 1,566 51,335

B.3. Task Force on Special Housing Aid for the Elderly (National Lottery Funded)

11,600 15,600 - 11,948

B.4. Communal Facilities in Voluntary Housing Schemes (National Lottery Funded)

2,070 2,278 - 2,132

ENVIRONMENTC.1. Water and Sewerage Services Programme 439,154 400,000 110 433,824

C.2. Environmental Protection Agency 14,405 15,512 - 13,822

C.3. Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (Grant for General Expenses)

3,110 3,310 - 3,257

C.4. Nuclear Safety 1,700 204 121 1,742

C.5. Subscriptions to International Organisations 3,900 3,940 5 4,168

C.6 Kyoto Credits - - - 1,000

C.7 Climate Change Funding - - - 2,150

LOCAL GOVERNMENTD.1. Local Government Fund 453,000 465,700 - 488,575

D.2. Grants in respect of Non-National Roads 48,800 52,200 - 50,430

84

2004 2004 2004 2005Service Estimate Outturn Closing Estimate

Provision Accruals Provision€'000 €'000 €'000 €'000

D.3. Vehicle and Driver Licensing Expenses 10,778 12,066 432 13,208

D.4. Community and Social Inclusion in Local Authorities 3,700 3,832 - 4,111

D.5 Disability Services - - - 15,000

HERITAGEE.1. Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) -

Administrative Expenses3,274 3,078 - 3,420

E.2. Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Heritage Council) (National Lottery Funded)

7,100 7,100 - 7,320

E.3. Built Heritage 22,736 18,181 92 23,657

E.4. National Parks and Wildlife Service 23,951 22,066 422 34,871

OTHER SERVICESF.1. Fire and Emergency Services 19,380 19,580 34 20,025

F.2. Local Authority Library and Archive Service 11,630 10,277 - 12,162

F.3. Subsidies to Local Authorities towards Loan Charges in respect of the Provision of Capital Services

50 21 - 51

F.4. Recoupment of Expenditure on foot of Certain Malicious Injuries

278 46 - 285

F.5. An Bord Pleanála 11,200 12,510 - 12,433

F.6. Irish Water Safety Association 490 505 - 533

F.7. Urban Regeneration 19,000 23,815 - 20,135

F.8. Tidy Towns Competition 100 103 14 150

F.9. Programme For Peace and Reconciliation 4,900 7,662 134 5,930

F.10. Planning Tribunal 12,000 7,157 494 12,311

F.11. Planning and Development, etc. 310 274 - 318

F.12. Miscellaneous Services 5,112 2,537 30 5,257

Gross Total 2,337,681 2,258,882 6,344 2,529,245Deduct:-

G. Appropriations-in-Aid 27,893 30,271 1,171 29,063Net Total 2,309,788 2,228,611 5,173 2,500,182

SURPLUS FOR YEAR 81,177,189

DEFERRED SURRENDER 75,601,000

SURPLUS TO BE SURRENDERED:- 5,576,189

85

Appendix 3OPERATING COST STATEMENT FOR 2004

€'000 €'000 €'000Net Outturn 2,228,611

Changes in Capital AssetsPurchases Cash (4,182)Depreciation 8,150Loss on Disposal 10 3,978

Assets Under DevelopmentCash Payments (439)

Changes in Net Current AssetsIncrease in Closing Accruals (7,983)Decrease in Stock 670 (7,313) (3,774)

Direct Expenditure 2,224,837

Expenditure Borne ElsewhereNet Allied Services Expenditure 13,953Notional Rents 3,484 17,437

Operating Cost 2,242,274

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2004

€'000 €'000 €'000

Capital Assets 56,175

Assets Under Development 56756,742

Current AssetsStocks 395Prepayments 1,020Accrued Income 1,378Other Debit Balances:

Imprests 19Other Suspense Items 2,771 2,790

PMG Balance and Cash 178,373Orders Outstanding (97,858) 80,520

Total Current Assets 86,103

Current LiabilitiesAccrued Expenses 7,364Deferred Income 207Other Credit Balances:

Due to State 2,998Other Suspense Items 1,598 4,596

Net Liability to the Exchequer 78,714

Total Current Liabilities 90,881

Net Current Liabilities (4,778)

Net Assets 51,964

86

Appendix 3STATEMENT OF CAPITAL ASSETS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2004

Land and Plant, MachineryOfficeAnd IT Furniture Totals

Buildings & Motor Vehicles Equipment and Fittings€'000 €'000 €'000 €'000 €'000

Cost or Valuation at 1 January 2004 26 12,460 72,908 2,775 88,169Transfers to the Office of Public Works - (8,418) (733) (107) (9,258)Additions 1,596 1,059 6,026 598 9,279Disposals - (4) (373) (5) (382)

Gross Assetsat 31 December 2004 1,622 5,097 77,828 3,261 87,808

Accumulated Depreciation:

Opening Balanceat 1 January 2004 12 7,300 20,658 1,539 29,509Depreciation on transfers to the Office of Public Works - (5,034) (567) (53) (5,654)Depreciation for the year 1 798 7,121 230 8,150Depreciation on Disposals - (4) (364 (4) (372)Cumulative Depreciation at 31 December 2003 13 3,060 26,848 1,712 31,633

Net Assets at 31 December 2004 1,609 2,037 50,980 1,549 56,175

Note:1. Historic Properties such as parks and Heritage Assets such as artefacts and manuscripts have not been valued.2. Opening Balances differ from closing balances for 2003 due to the fact that electronic voting equipment, which was

acquired in 2003, has now been reflected in the above statement.

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Appendix 3STATEMENT OF PROMPT PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR 2004

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government complies with the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997, as amended. It is the policy of the Department to settle all invoices promptly with due regard to contractual terms where applicable, good financial and management practices and the provisions of the Act.

Procedures have been put in place for dealing with invoices/payments in order to minimise the incidence of interest surcharges on late payments. All officers concerned have been notified of best practices for dealing with invoice type payments and on the necessity to comply with the Act. Where payment terms under specific contracts differ from the norm, the Department's payment practices would accord with the terms of the relevant contract. The target turnaround time in the Accounts Section for the payment of invoices is 3 days from the date of receipt of completed payment authorisation forms together with the necessary documentation.

In 2004, out of total invoiced payments of over €321.9 million, 254 payments totalling €1,666,141.60 attracted penalty interest of €9,418.77. Of the payments, 244 were for amounts over €317.00 to a total value of €1,664, 078.27 and involved interest payments of €9,308.76.

The value of all late payments as a percentage of all invoiced payments in 2004 was 0.52%.

88

Structure of the Department Appendix 4Environment Water and Natural Heritage Heritage and Planning Legal Adviser

Tom O’MahonyAssistant Secretary

Tom CorcoranAssistant Secretary

Mary MoylanAssistant Secretary

Dermot Humphreys

Ian KeatingPrincipal OfficerEnvironment Policy

Brian LeechPrincipal Adviser

Terry AllenPrincipal OfficerWater Services Investment

Gerry GalvinPrincipal Adviser

Donal EnrightHeritage Policy and Architectural Protection

John MartinPrincipal Adviser

Riona NíFhlanghailePrincipal OfficerEnvironment International, Environment Awareness and North/South

David MooreSenior Adviser

Joe HarringtonPrincipal OfficerWater Services Policy

Gerry O'DonoghueSenior Adviser

Kevin CullenPrincipal OfficerNational Monuments

Niall CussenSenior Adviser

Owen RyanPrincipal OfficerAir/Climate

Brendan O’ NeillSenior Adviser

John SadlierPrincipal OfficerWater Quality

Oliver FogartySenior Adviser

Oonagh BuckleyPrincipal OfficerPlanning

Gabrielle McKeownSenior Adviser

Renee DempseyPrincipal OfficerNuclear Safety

Alan CraigPrincipal OfficerNational Parks and Wildlife (Habitats and Species)

Finian MatthewsPrincipal OfficerSpatial Policy

Aileen DoyleSenior Adviser

Michael LaydePrincipal OfficerWaste Infrastructure and Regulation

Chris O'GradyPrincipal OfficerNational Parks and Wildlife (Parks and Biodiversity)

Michael McCarthyPrincipal OfficerBuilding Standards and Environmental Assessment

Pat MackenPrincipal OfficerWaste Prevention and Recovery

Liam WhelanPrincipal OfficerUrban and Village Development

Brendan LinehanDirector , ENFO

Noel CasserlyAssistant Principal OfficerComhar Secretariat

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Local Government Local Government Audit Service

Housing Corporate Services

Geraldine TallonAssistant Secretary

Noel O'ConnellInspector of Audits

Des DowlingAssistant Secretary

Michael CannyAssistant Secretary

Mary TullyPrincipal OfficerLocal Government Project Development

Gerry O’ MalleyPrincipal OfficerVehicle Registration Unit & Motor Tax Policy

Joe McCarthyPrincipal Auditor

Maria GrahamPrincipal OfficerHousing Policy and Finance

John McCarthyPrincipal OfficerAffordable Homes Partnership

John KelleherPrincipal OfficerDepartmental Finance, Accounts and Financial Management Unit

Joe AllenPrincipal OfficerLocal Government Policy

Sean HoganFire Adviser

Liam BowePrincipal Auditor

Tony BolandPrincipal OfficerAffordable Housing

Aidan O’ ConnorPrincipal Adviser

Dave FaddenPrincipal OfficerPersonnel

Peter GreenePrincipal OfficerLocal Government Personnel

John DevlinPrincipal AdviserRoads

Thomas RockPrincipal Auditor

Mary O'DonoghuePrincipal OfficerSocial Inclusion and Traveller Accommodation

Noel CarrollSenior Adviser

Martin CondonPrincipal OfficerCorporate Development and Decentralisation

John FitzgeraldPrincipal OfficerLocal Government Finance

John BarrySenior Assistant Fire Adviser

Tony DohenyPrincipal Auditor

Peter McCannPrincipal OfficerHousing Construction

Pat Minogue *Senior Adviser

Fred BradleyPrincipal OfficerOrganisation (incl. ICT and FOI)

Maurice CoughlanPrincipal OfficerFranchise

Joe MaloneSenior Adviser

Richard MurphyPrincipal Auditor

Denis ConlanPrincipal OfficerPrivate Housing Sector

Barry LenihanSenior Adviser

Liam A. O ConnellPrincipal OfficerPublic Private Partnership and Construction

Jim LillisPrincipal OfficerFire Services and Emergency Planning

Dominic MullaneySenior AdviserRoads

Eddie LewisPrincipal OfficerHousing Procurement and Services

Colum O'RuanaidhSenior Adviser

Feargal Ó CoiglighPrincipal Officer

Kevin RingPrincipal OfficerRoads and Local Services

Paddy RuanePrincipal OfficerVoluntary Housing and Housing Grants

* Advises both Housing Division and Heritage and Planning Division Internal Audit:Gus Murray, Assistant Principal Officer. Met Éireann (Director : Declan Murphy) is a constituent part of the Department. However, given its de facto autonomy as an organisation unit, it prepares and publishes its own

Statement of Strategy and Annual Report.

90

Location of the Department's Main Offices Appendix 5Custom House,Dublin 1.

Irish Life Buildings,Lower Abbey Street,Dublin 1.

7 Ely Place,Dublin 2.

Dún Scéine,Harcourt Lane,Dublin 2.

Government Offices,Ballina,Co. Mayo

Vehicle Registration Unit, Shannon Town Centre, Shannon,Co. Clare.

ENFO, 17 St. Andrew Street,Dublin 2.

Secretariat to the Minister, Ministers of State and Secretary General

Press and Information Unit Majority of sections from the

following divisions: Corporate Services, Environment, Housing, Local Government.

Building Standards and Environmental Assessment

Planning Spatial Policy Urban and Village Development Water Quality

Water Services including Inspectorate

Public Private Partnership and Construction

Internal Audit Financial

Management Unit Roads and Local

Services

National Parks and Wildlife

National Monuments

Heritage Policy and Architectural Protection

Voluntary Housing Housing Grants Water Services (Rural

Water Programme) Accounts Local Government

Superannuation

Vehicle registration Environmental Information Service

LoCall:1890 20 20 21 LoCall:1890 20 20 21 LoCall:1890 321 421 LoCall: 1890 321 421 LoCall:1890 30 50 30 (Housing Grants)1890 20 20 21 (other offices in Ballina)

LoCall:1890 411 412 LoCall:1890 200 191

Tel : (01) 888 2000 Tel : (01) 888 2000 Tel : (01) 8883242 Tel : (01) 411 7100 Tel : (096) 2 4200 Tel : (061) 36 5000 Tel : (01) 888 2001

Fax : (01) 888 2888 Fax : (01) 888 2888 Fax : (096) 2 4221 (Housing Grants)(096) 2 4222(other offices in Ballina)

Fax : (061) 36 3480 Fax : (01) 888 3946

email : [email protected] website : http://[email protected]@environ.ie

email: [email protected]: http://www.enfo.ie

LoCall : allows callers anywhere in the country to contact the Department at the local call rate

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Appendix 6Contact Details

Business Unit/Section

Functions Telephone No

Accounts Manages and monitors the Department's accounts. 096 24457Affordable Homes Partnership

Responsible for the establishment of, and ongoing liaison with, the Affordable Homes Partnership

01-888 2214

Affordable Housing Assisting home ownership through a number of targeted affordable housing schemes 01-8882123Air/Climate Develops air pollution and climate change policy. 01-8882537Building Standards Reviews and updates national Building Regulations, to take account of relevant

developments – including emerging harmonised European standards, under the EU Construction Products Directive (CPD).

01-8882371

Corporate Development

Coordinates and facilitates the Public Service Modernisation Programme in the Department and provides the staff Training and Development function.

01-8882555, 8882585

Decentralisation Unit Manages the Decentralisation Programme for the Department, the accommodation needs of the Department and health and safety issues within the Department.

01-8882431

Departmental Finance

Coordinates the Department's estimates and expenditure. 01-8882493

ENFO Provides access to information on the environment and sustainable lifestyle choices. 01- 8883910Environmental Assessment

Manages overall transposition and implementation of the EIA (environmental impact assessment) and SEA (strategic environmental assessment) Directives and of the land use planning aspects of the Seveso II Directive.

01-8882321

Environment Awareness

Develops and implements policies and measures to promote greater environmental awareness and behaviour change.

01-8882601

Environment International

Manages input and participation in international environmental fora. 01-8882603

Environment Policy Promotes sustainable development and environmental integration. Coordinates anti-litter action.

01-8882608

Financial Management

Customises and implements the Management Information Framework to suit the specific needs of the Department.

01-8882734

Fire Services and Emergency Planning

Supports local fire authorities in the delivery of fire fighting and rescue services, fire safety and prevention programmes, and planning for and response to major emergencies.

01-8882382

Franchise Develops electoral and referendum legislation. 01-8882424Freedom of Information

Manages the Department's freedom of information requests. 01-8882575

Heritage Policy and Architectural Protection

Promotes the conservation and protection of the architectural heritage. 01-8883164/8883103

Housing Construction

Manages and monitors the local authority housing construction programme and the regeneration of housing areas including Ballymun. Organises the tri-annual assessment of housing needs undertaken by local authorities.

01-8882561

Housing Grants Administers a number of housing schemes, makes recoupments to local authorities in respect of other schemes, issues various certificates in respect of tax schemes.

096-24327

Housing Policy and Finance

Formulates and develops policy relating to housing in Ireland across all tenures. Monitors and assesses developments in the housing market.

01-8882287

Housing Procurement and Services

Responsible for developing and implementing policy in relation to the Rental Accommodation Scheme and the procurement of accommodation and the provision of services by local authorities to meet social housing needs.

01-8882015

ICT Coordinates the Department's eGovernment initiative and provides and maintains the Department's information and communication systems.

01-8882030

Infrastructure/PPP Promotes the use of the PPP approach across the local government sector and provides support for procuring agencies undertaking PPP projects. Encourages modernisation of procurement practices.

01-88825178882582

Internal Audit Gives assurance to the Accounting Officer on the existence, adequacy and effectiveness of the Department's internal control and risk management systems. The Unit also audits EU co-funded operations managed by the Department as required by EU regulations.

01-8882302

Library Provides a library service for the Department's staff. 01-8882477Local Government Audit Service

Conducts audits of the financial accounts of local authorities and value for money audits on local authorities' systems, practices and procedures.

01-8882238

Local Government Monitors the finance function in local authorities and develops legislation relating to local 01-8882465/

92

Business Unit/Section

Functions Telephone No

Finance authority financial management and procedures. 8882476/8882602

Local Government Personnel

Develops Human Resource Management policy in local authorities including regarding, restructuring, disability issues, workplace partnership and promotion of Irish for local authority posts.

01-888235301-888235501-8882356

Local Government Personnel (Remuneration)

Implements the Government's pay policy in relation to local authorities, including industrial relations matters.

01-8882377

Local Government Personnel (Superannuation)

Regulates the pension schemes for local authorities, health boards and bodies under the Department’s aegis.

01-8884408

Local Government Policy

Develops policy and legislation for the local government system. 01-888270101-8882728

Local Government Project Development Section

To develop priority projects on local government and related central government issues (01) 888 2388, (01) 888 2858

Local Services Develops policy and funding for public libraries, manages dog control and processes closure applications for Burial Grounds.

01-8882368, 8882583

Minister's Office (Dick Roche, T.D.)

Provides support to the Minister. 01-8882404/8882571

Minister of State's Office (Noel Ahern, T.D.)

Provides support to the Minister of State. 01-8882594

Minister of State's Office (Batt O’Keeffe, T.D.)

Provides support to the Minister of State. 01-8882264

Motor Tax Policy Manages the operation of the Motor Tax system. 01-8882261National Monuments Promotes and regulates the conservation and protection of the archaeological heritage. 01-8883118National Parks and Wildlife Service

Manages the National Parks and administers the law in regard to the protection of the natural heritage.

01-8883242

Non-National Roads Manages and administers the non-national roads investment programme. 01-8882274North/South Coordinates North/South and wider British/Irish cooperation in the framework of the

Good Friday Agreement.Nuclear Safety Supports and implements national and international policy on nuclear safety matters,

including the Government commitment towards the safe closure of Sellafield. 01-8882013

Organisation Provides and maintains office equipment, supplies and stationery, manages the Asset Register, maintains the Department's telephone directory and organisation chart, and monitors and promotes compliance with Prompt Payments legislation.

01-8882071

Personnel Assigns staff to the various Sections in the Department. 01-8882456Planning Maintains an up-to-date legislative and policy framework to facilitate an efficient,

effective, balanced and quality planning system that is transparent and accessible in its operation and which promotes the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.

01-8882810/8882823

Press and Information

Liases with the media and provides support to the Minister and Ministers of State on the delivery of speeches.

01-8882393

Private Housing Sector

Promotes the efficient and balanced operation and development of the private housing market (both owner occupied and private rented sectors) through overview and assessment of developments and issues and provision of relevant policy input.

01-8882902

PPP, Construction Policy and NDP Co-ordination

Encourages and supports the use of PPPs in the Local Government Sector; monitors for the purposes of facilitating policy formulation, developments in the construction industry; reports on the Department's National Development Plan activities; advises local authorities on procurement issues generally and advances eProcurement in the Local Government Sector.

01-8882079

Secretary General's Office

Provides support to the Secretary General. 01-8882399

Social Inclusion Oversees and promotes the ongoing development and implementation of policies and programmes to address the housing related needs of vulnerable groups such as elderly, disabled and homeless persons.

01-8882137

Spatial Policy Leads the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development across Ireland, supported by more effective spatial planning.

01-8882715

Tidy Towns Organises the Tidy Towns’ Competition, City Neighbourhoods’ Competition, Ireland’s 01-8882300

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Business Unit/Section

Functions Telephone No

Best Kept Town Competition and Ireland’s entry in the European Entente Florale Competition.

/8882301

Traveller Accommodation

Formulates and develops policy on the provision and management, by local authorities, of Traveller accommodation and the necessary funding for such accommodation.

01-8882121

Urban and Village Development

Implements and monitors the Urban and Village Renewal Programmes, the Urban Renewal, Town Renewal and Living Over the Shop schemes.

01-8882416/8882505

Vehicle Registration Facilitates the processing of all motor tax and driver licence business and support and maintains the computerised National Vehicle and Driver File.

061-5001061-5002061-5003

Voluntary Housing Responsible for matters relating to the voluntary and cooperative housing sector. 096-24320/24301

Waste Infrastructure and Regulation

Develops policy and legislation to meet national requirements and ensures compliance with relevant obligations under EU waste Directives and manages the waste recovery infrastructure programme.

01-8882473

Waste Prevention and Recovery

Co-ordinates the implementation of national waste prevention, minimisation and recovery policy.

01-8882027

Water Quality Promotes the protection and improvement of the quality of water in the environment e.g. rivers, lakes, groundwater.

01-8882553

Water Services Investment Programme

Manages the Water Services Investment Programme contained in the National Development Plan.

01-8882772

Water Services Policy

Manages policy development in the Water Services Sector, including legislation and water services pricing policy.

01-8882162

Water Services Rural Water Programme

Manages the Rural Water Programme and the Group Water Scheme Sector. 096-24480

The location of these Business Units/Sections and the LoCall telephone numbers in each location are detailed in Appendix 5.

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Appendix 7 Agencies

Details of the agencies operating under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are set out below. An Bord Pleanála64 Marlborough Street,Dublin 1.Tel: (01) 872 8011LoCall: 1890 27 51 75 Fax: (01) 872 2684email: [email protected]: http://www.pleanala.ie

Dublin Docklands Development AuthorityCustom House Quay, Dublin 1.Tel: (01) 818 3300Fax: (01) 818 3399email: [email protected]: http://www.ddda.ie

Housing Finance AgencyEden House, 15-17 Eden Quay, Dublin 1.Tel: (01) 872 5722Fax: (01) 872 5878email: [email protected]: http://www.hfa.ie

National Building AgencyRichmond Avenue South, Milltown, Dublin 6.Tel: (01) 497 9654Fax: (01) 497 2540email: [email protected]: http://www.nba.ie

An Chomhairle LeabharlannaThe Library Council,53-54 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2.Tel: (01) 676 1167Fax: (01) 676 6721email: [email protected]: http://www.librarycouncil.ie

Environmental Protection AgencyPO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate,Co. Wexford.Tel: (053) 60600Fax: (053) 60699email: [email protected]: http://www.epa.ie

Irish Water Safety AssociationThe Long Walk, Galway.Tel: (091) 564400LoCall: 1890 42 02 02Fax: (091) 564700email: [email protected]: http://www.iws.ie

Private Residential Tenancies BoardCanal House, Canal Road, Dublin 6 Tel: (01) 888 2960 Fax: (01) 888 2819 email: [email protected]: http://www.environ.ie

Building Regulations Advisory BodyRoom 2.13,Custom House, Dublin 1.Tel: (01) 888 2371LoCall: 1890 20 20 21Fax: (01) 888 2693email: [email protected]

Fire Services CouncilCustom House, Dublin 1.Tel: (01) 874 4760Fax: (01) 677 9278 and 888 2888email: [email protected] website: http://www.environ.ie

Local Government Computer Services BoardPhoenix House, 27 Conyngham Road, Dublin 8.Tel: (01) 609 7000Fax: (01) 609 7001email: [email protected]: http://www.lgcsb.ie

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland3 Clonskeagh Square,Clonskeagh Road,Dublin 14.Tel: (01) 269 7766Fax: (01) 269 7437email: [email protected]: http://www.rpii.ie

Comhar17 St. Andrew Street,Dublin 2.Tel: (01) 888 3990LoCall: 1890 200 327Fax: (01) 888 3999email: [email protected]: http://www.comhar-nsdp.ie

Heritage CouncilRothe House,Kilkenny.Tel: (056) 7770777Fax: (056) 7770788email: [email protected]: http://www.heritagecouncil.ie

Local Government Management Services BoardCumberland House,Fenian Street,Dublin2Tel: (01) 671 8400Fax: (01) 677 0023email: [email protected]: http://www.lgmsb.ie

Rent TribunalCustom House, Dublin 1.Tel: (01) 888 2000Fax: (01) 8882012email: [email protected]

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