Results 2,201-2,220 of 20,758 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Reform (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: In the reply to Question No 302 of 14 October 2014 , I set out the position regarding entitlement to vote at elections and referendums in the State. I have no proposals at present to change the existing arrangements for elections to Dáil Éireann.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Government embarked on a programme of ambitious reform in this sector, as the traditional water services system was in need of fundamental change. Our public water infrastructure is deficient and inadequate as a consequence of decades of under-investment and the lack of a truly, national approach that could maximise the impact of investment. An Independent Assessment published in 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Inspections (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 991 and 992 together. Local authorities carry out inspections of septic tanks and similar systems for a variety of reasons, including water quality issues at drinking water sources or within designated shellfish or bathing water catchments and arising from reports of pollution from members of the public. Separately, inspections are carried out based on the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion Measures (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: My Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years with funding of €281m over that period.  It is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014 with a budget of €47m pending the roll out of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The most recent information available to my Department indicates that, o f the estimated 6,000 units to be delivered by the end of 2014, 3,015 units have been provided to date. This data is based in some instances on reporting for Quarter 2 activity only. Quarter 3 activity will be available in the coming weeks. Delivery is often geared towards the end of the year and t he estimated 6,000...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that meter boxes are not sealed and can be opened to allow the householder to read their meter, if necessary. A ll of the water metering contracts are fully compliant with the Disability Act 2005 and the water meters in use by Irish Water comply with the Measuring Instruments Directive . The meters will be read by Irish Water and the information will...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social Inclusion Measures (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: My Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013 having operated for four years with funding of €281m over that period.  It is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014 with a budget of €47m pending the roll out of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Funding (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Domestic water charges commenced with effect from 1 October 2014 and Irish Water will issue the first bills to domestic customers from January 2015. The approach to charging was outlined by Irish Water in a Water Charges Plan (WCP) submitted to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in line with the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. Following a consultation process, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Staff (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 998 and 1062 together. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) and that the new company should be formed and registered under the Companies Acts. The Memorandum and Articles of Association, which were adopted by Irish Water on its incorporation in July 2013, provide that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Regeneration (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: One of the key recommendations of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, Resolving Ireland’s Unfinished Housing Developments,which is available on my Department’s website atwas for my Department to establish a National Coordination Committee (NCC) to “oversee the implementation of action on unfinished developments and to monitor...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Remit (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Irish Water was established in line with the Water Sector Reform Implementation Strategypublished in December 2012. The overall policy is reflected in the two Acts passed by the Oireachtas in 2013. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides specific mechanisms for the issue of Ministerial policy directions to both the Commission for Energy Regulation and Irish Water. A direction in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Land Aggregation Scheme was introduced in 2010 as part of revised arrangements for the funding of land for social housing purposes. The primary purpose of the Scheme was to assist in the unwinding of loans taken out by housing authorities to purchase land for the social and affordable housing investment programme. Applications to the value of some €164 million in loans have been...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Flood Prevention Measures (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The 2012 report of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht is titled Eight proposals urgently required to tackle flooding on the River Shannon, its tributaries and the waters feeding into it. Seven of the proposals come solely within the remit of other Departments and agencies – the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Under the Water Services Acts 2007-2013, Irish Water has statutory powers to request its customers and certain specified persons or bodies to provide it with information so that Irish Water can perform its functions under these Acts including the collection of data to develop its customer database. In particular, section 26 of the Water Services Act 2013 provides Irish Water with the power to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters Installation (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The meter installation programme commenced in August 2013 and will be completed by mid- 2016. Four regional main contractors covering eight meter regions were appointed by Irish Water following a public tendering process in 2013. Irish Water has informed my Department that its tendering process is fully compliant with public procurement rules. Given the value of the contract for the domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: 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: Asbestos Remediation Programme (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: There is no funding available from my Department or local authorities for the removal of asbestosin residential properties and garages or in buildings in general. The prevention of exposure to the harmful effects of asbestosis the focus of occupational safety and health legislation concerning asbestosin the workplace. Specific Regulations regarding the protection of workers from the risks...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homelessness Strategy (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. I do not consider legislation of the kind outlined to be necessary. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Introduction (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1010 and 1071 together. With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Staff (4 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. To manage the transition process a number of governance structures have been put in place by the Department which the Managing Director of Irish Water attends. A Water Sector Reform Steering Group, representative of...