Results 2,181-2,200 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (22 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 759 of 8 November 2005. The additional information which was sought from Monaghan County Council about this proposal was received in my Department on 15 November and is currently being examined. My Department will be in further contact with the council when that examination is complete.

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (22 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 608 together. On 29 July last, following the enactment of the Disability Act 2005, I allocated €5 million current expenditure and €10 million capital expenditure to local authorities and to An Chomhairle Leabharlanna to commence the provision of services under the national disability strategy allocation to my Department. The different types of...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (22 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department is not aware of any reliable data on the number of stray or wild cats at individual locations throughout the country. Funds are not available to my Department to resource a national campaign to address the issue of such stray or wild cats. However, as regards individual locations, where a local authority considers it appropriate, it may assist a body which is endeavouring to...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (23 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume the question refers to the reply to Question No. 261 of 23 June 2005. As previously indicated, Government efforts and resources, together with those of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, are continuing to focus on highlighting public awareness of radon and on improving information to householders so as to enable and encourage them to address monitoring or...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements. (23 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address Seanad Éireann on the important subject of housing. Housing is as important to the modern dynamic Ireland of the 21st century as it was to our newly established State early in the last century, which was a situation of urban slums and rural deprivation. It was a big focus of public policy. Good quality housing is fundamental to our economic...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements. (23 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I know the feeling.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements. (23 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: If I may respond through the Chair, the Senator made some good and interesting observations. There has been a phenomenal change on the build side and I will send the Senator some details on that.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements. (23 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Much of the latter part of his commentary would be very much in line with my thinking. We will have some words on that in another place.

Planning Issues. (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I am grateful to Deputy Eamon Ryan for raising this matter and allowing me to put the facts on the record of the House. As Members are aware, An Bord Pleanála plays a key role in ensuring that major developments in Ireland are delivered in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development and in line with best land use practice. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Council Directive 2003/122/EURATOM of 22 December 2003, which relates to the control of high-activity sealed radioactive sources and orphan sources, requires member states to introduce the legislative and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive before 31 December 2005. Ireland is on schedule to meet the transposition deadline.

Written Answers — Housing Developments: Housing Developments (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 267, 270 and 271 together. A working group of the Law Reform Commission is examining a range of legal issues relating to the management of multi-unit structures. The Government will consider the recommendations of the final report, including the necessity, if any, for new legislation in this area. Management companies operate in the majority of apartment...

Written Answers — Land Acquisitions: Land Acquisitions (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I understand that the acquisition of property interests on An Blascaod Mór is currently being addressed by the Office of Public Works in consultation with the Chief State Solicitor's office. This would include consideration of the draft agreements referred to in the question.

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 668 of 15 November 2005. Detailed information on undergrounding of electric cables in the context of urban and village renewal projects is not available to my Department. Such projects are not however likely to have entailed undergrounding of high voltage 220 kv cables.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Ballygar water supply scheme was eighth on the list of water schemes submitted by Galway County Council in response to my Department's request to all local authorities in 2003 to undertake assessments of the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priority lists were taken into account in the framing of the Water Services...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Enforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. However, over the last two years my Department has provided funding of €823,930 to Louth County Council on an exceptional basis in recognition of the particular difficulties which arose for that authority in responding to instances of illegal dumping of oil-laundering...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Section 205 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 strengthened the powers of planning authorities to issue tree preservation orders, which in their opinion are required in the interests of amenity or the environment. These orders, inter alia, can place a prohibition on the cutting down or removal of trees or can require the owner or occupier of land to work with the planning authority to...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Article 28(j)(ii) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 provides that planning authorities must notify the National Roads Authority about applications for permission for development that might give rise to a significant increase in the volume of traffic using a national road. I consider that this provision is sufficient in its current form to ensure the authority is notified of key...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: At present six former employees are working in my Department under contract arrangements, in addition to our permanent staff of 1,363 whole-time equivalents. All are paid an appropriate daily rate which is abated to keep the total of fee and pension payments within the relevant salary. All the contractors involved were formerly employed in professional grades in relation to which delays in...

Local Government Funding. (29 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: The new arrangements for financing local government, based around the local government fund which the Government introduced in 1999 have had a major positive effect on the finances of local authorities. The fund provides a buoyant and dedicated source of funding for local authorities to supplement the income they derive from other specific Government grants and from local sources such as...

Local Government Funding. (29 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: "No" is the answer to those three supplementary questions. I do not agree with the Deputy that there has been anything improper or delayed about the publication of the Indecon report. The Deputy's fourth point was whether another report was needed. That is a good question and it could be the subject for a debate. On the issue of the publication of the Indecon report, lest anybody thinks I am...