Results 9,501-9,520 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is currently examining options to prohibit an applicant from submitting a stand-alone environmental licence application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in certain cases unless it is clearly established that mandatory or sub-threshold EIA is not required in respect of the proposed activity. Alternatively, if EIA is necessary, the applicant would be required to...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together. I made a determination on 22 July 2011 pursuant to the provisions of the Foreshore Act, 1933 (as amended) to grant a foreshore licence to Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited and Vermilion Energy Ireland Limited in respect of development on the foreshore related to the Corrib Gas Pipeline. In accordance with...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: In February 2011, my Department issued grant aid to the Community Development Project, referred to in the question, towards the cost of statutory redundancy payments to the three employees, for their period of employment under the Local and Community Development Programme. This contribution was subject to a signed undertaking that the redundancy rebate paid by the Department of Jobs,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: Under the Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011, a household may apply for social housing support to the housing authority for the functional area where it normally resides, or where it has a local connection. A housing authority may also decide at its discretion to accept an application from a household which does not meet these residence or local connection criteria. In accordance...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The details are set out in tabular form below as requested. The salaries have been determined in accordance with the salary scales specified in the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil, in line with their Houses of Oireachtas salaries, adjusted to take account of the pension levy, and sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. My former Parliamentary...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 403 together. The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 following a Government Decision to implement savings measures across the wider public service. The emergency measure was introduced as a response to the financial crisis facing the State. My Department received a delegated sanction from the...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I assume the question refers to the decision to approve disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund for a once-off measure up to the value of €1.25m for the five new provincial towns incorporated under RAPID. These are Ballina, Dungarvan, Enniscorthy, Mullingar and Rathkeale. Under Government Accounting procedures, disbursements on Dormant Accounts measures are paid in the first instance...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 , a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Westmeath. While provision is made to commence contracts to the value of some €95 million in the county during the period of the programme, the Rathowen Sewerage Scheme is not...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: While the majority of the fixed rate mortgages drawn down in the early 1980's were charged rates at around 10.5% - reflecting local authority and Housing Finance Agency (HFA) cost of funds – during 1984 the fixed rate charged to new local authority borrowers went as high as 12.95%. As with all other rates charged, this rate reflects the long-term costs of funds to the HFA prevailing at the...

Written Answers — Building Control Act: Building Control Act (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 to 412, inclusive, together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 108 of 3 November 2011 which comprehensively addressed the issues regarding the registration of the title of Architect. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has been designated as the registration body for persons wishing to use the title of architect, under the Building...

Written Answers — Social Housing: Social Housing (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Social Housing Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, 2011, set out amended provisions regarding aspects of eligibility for social housing. The Regulations also contain provisions regarding classification of accommodation need and the record of qualified households ("waiting list"). As regards older persons, under previous arrangements, authorities used different definitions of older...

Written Answers — Social Housing: Social Housing (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The issue of homelessness is a priority for Government which, despite current challenging economic circumstances, remains fully committed to protecting the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society. I agree that moving away from the outdated expensive emergency hostel-based approach is necessary to ensure most effective outcomes for service users at optimal cost to the Exchequer. The...

Written Answers — Rented Dwellings Register: Rented Dwellings Register (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Residential Tenancies Act, 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established under the Residential Tenancies Act in September 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential...

Written Answers — Rented Dwellings Register: Rented Dwellings Register (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established under the Residential Tenancies Act in September 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. Local authorities are responsible for enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations in relation to all rented...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 418 together. The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. Under section 12 (1)(d) of the Act a landlord is obliged to promptly refund deposits, unless and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, there is rent or other charges or taxes owing or there is damage to the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 applies to estates which have been granted planning permission and include the construction of 2 or more houses (which as defined in the Act includes apartments) and the provision of new roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains or drains. In relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The information sought across the range of my Department's capital programmes is not readily available, or collected, in respect of all capital works funded through my Department's capital programmes. All procurement is required to be carried out by contracting authorities in line with all national and EU guidelines, which do not allow the exclusion of any company on the basis of origin....

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: Dormant accounts.

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I welcome the opportunity to introduce this Bill, which has already had a speedy passage through all Stages in the Seanad. This short piece of legislation is needed to allow for the dissolution of the Dormant Accounts Board and to transfer the statutory functions of the board to me as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. This is in line with the recommendations of...

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I will address that in my reply.