Results 6,041-6,060 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: There is an ongoing system of monitoring and review of all systems and processes used to implement Axes 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) by my Department and this has recently resulted in a suite of amendments to the programme. These amendments provide scope for Local Development Companies (LDCs) to have greater flexibility to deliver actions that support the achievement of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Schemes (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1064, 1117 and 1118 together. From March 2011 to date, meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe were held on 5 October and 7 December 2011 and on 8 February and 4 April 2012. The next meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe is scheduled for 20 September 2012. All of these meetings to date have been chaired by my Department, and I have not been present at them. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department is currently considering the question of a registration process for house builders/contractors and has held discussions on the matter with the Construction Industry Federation. The CIF has been invited to prepare a paper setting out proposals for such a scheme. My Department has indicated that such a scheme should be in keeping with competition law, include strong quality...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislation underpinning the household charge. The legislation provides for a number of exemptions and waivers from payment of the household charge. The waivers which apply concern - - Owners of residential property entitled to mortgage interest supplement, and - Owners...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Insurance Industry Regulation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department has no regulatory function in the area of insurance or insurance based products but will, however, be working with the appropriate regulatory bodies to advance the recommendations in the pyrite report in relation to these issues.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department was in contact with Bord Gáis earlier this year in regard to estates affected by pyrite and, following a review of the estates notified to them, no unusual leak activity was detected. The management of the network is of course a matter for Bord Gáis. In line with normal safety practices, Bord Gáis would advise customers to have gas installations checked annually...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The recommendations referred to arose in the context of a submission to the independent Pyrite Panel established by me to assist in the task of identifying a way forward in relation to the problem of homes affected by pyritic heave. I am assured that all submissions received were fully considered by the Panel in coming to its conclusions and recommendations as outlined in its comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The figure of 850 dwellings categorised as “red” in the pyrite report is an indicative figure only. The Panel used the information it had collected to estimate the possible distribution of the ground floor dwellings across the three classifications of red, amber and green. However, it should be noted that the inclusion of a dwelling in the 850 figure does not necessarily mean...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Yield (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is not available in my Department, and may be sought from Galway County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Register of Electors (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. This is done on an ongoing basis in accordance with the electoral acts. There is no provision for linking the electoral register to PPS numbers. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environment Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The proceeds of the Environment Fund, which was established under the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001, can only be used for activities that are of benefit to the environment. Section 74(9) of the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended), specifies the purposes for which payments may be made from the Environment Fund. These include assistance in a range of areas such as: - schemes to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: National Dog Control Statistics are compiled on an annual basis by the Local Authorities. The number of lifetime dog licences purchased since the commencement of the scheme in January 2012 will be compiled in tandem with the other 2012 statistics at the end of the year and will be published on the Department’s website as early as possible in 2013. The numbers of individual and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Application (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. On its introduction in 2009 the charge was estimated to apply to some 200,000 properties and was expected...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the replies to Question Nos. 37, 41 and 46 on today’s order paper, which set out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government’s broad policy approach in this area was set out in the Programme for Government. In line with this, I propose to publish [very shortly] a comprehensive action programme setting out a clear vision for the future of local government with particular focus on strengthening structures at regional, county and sub-county levels, expanding the role of local government,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Sector Recruitment (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 in response to the financial crisis. My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities, and any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Training (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department’s expenditure on the full training programmes in 2011 and in the period up to the end of August 2012 is as follows: Costs 2011 € August 2012 € Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (excluding Met Eireann) 258,810 99,338 Met Eireann 53,400 31,749 Total 312,210 131,087 My Department places considerable emphasis on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Air Quality (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department has no knowledge of the alleged activities referred to in the Question. The monitoring, assessment and management of ambient air quality in Ireland is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air for Europe (CAFÉ) Directive 2008/50/EC, which has been transposed into Irish law through the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011. Under these Regulations,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department is responsible for ensuring that funding provided through the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) is delivered in an efficient and effective way. Systems within the Department involve the checking of projects to ensure that the claimed expenditure is verifiably correct. The claim for reimbursement for the project detailed in the question was selected for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1106 and 1126 together. The information requested is set out in the following table:   Total Board Membership Vacancies* Men* Women % Women 2002 215 NA NA 84 39 2003 213 NA NA 78 37 2004 203 NA NA 76 37 2005 213 NA NA 86 40 2006 211 NA NA 80 38 2007 272 9 167 96 37 2008 281 6 174 101 37 2009 241 8...