Results 2,421-2,440 of 20,763 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The funding that is provided by my Department to local authorities for social housing supports the development of new social housing units and also the purchase of units that may be privately owned. A similar approach applies to funding sanctioned by local authorities to approved housing bodies, which can be for either new build or the acquisition of existing housing units. There are some...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 to 517, inclulsive, together. My Department has provided funding to the entity referred to in the questions under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. In 2009, Longford Community Resources Limited, the relevant Local Action Group contracted on behalf of my Department to deliver the LEADER funding, provided grant aid of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (SI No. 9 of 2014), which came into operation on 1 March 2014, greatly strengthen the arrangements in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certificates of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme. Irish Water have established a customer support call centre, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This call centre is designed for reporting of any...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Motor tax is payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or on an annual basis. The rates of duty applicable for the quarterly and half-yearly options are 28.25% and 55.5% the annual charge respectively. This additional cost element takes account of the extra workload for staff in motor tax offices and the National Vehicle and Driver File unit, and the resultant administrative costs and printing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Evictions (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Part 2 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 includes a new court procedure for the recovery of possession of local authority dwellings from households in serious breach of their tenancy agreements, including engagement in anti-social behaviour. The Act also strengthens the powers of housing authorities and approved housing bodies to obtain court orders to exclude  persons...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: In accordance with the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998, the requirement for dogs of certain breeds to be securely muzzled in a public place and being led by a sufficiently strong chain or leash, by a person over the age of sixteen years who is capable of controlling the dog, does not apply to dogs being used for the purpose of guidance by persons unable to find their way without guidance. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Expenditure (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: I understand that the work undertaken by Accenture was in respect of Integrated Programme Management of Business Capability Establishment projects and management of specialist vendors contracted by Bord Gáis Eireann. The procurement by Irish Water of external resources is a matter for the company and I had no role in approving individual contracts. Irish Water has established a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Commission Establishment (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Government Legislation Programme for Autumn 2014 provides for the publication of an Electoral Commission Bill in 2015. Work on this task has commenced in my Department. This will involve detailed and considered examination of the key issues, including international best practice, the Commission's structure and functions, who it reports to, its relationship with other bodies currently...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Grants (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The launch of the registration programme for domestic wastewater treatment systems in late June 2012 was accompanied by an extensive public awareness campaign, with information regarding how to register and the fee payable being broadcast by local radio stations nationwide and on national stations. Advertisements were also placed in national, local and regional newspapers. Information...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Grants (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the EPA’s National Inspection Plan and the subsequent issue of an...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Construction Sector Strategy (18 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: In May 2014,the Government published Construction 2020 – a Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector.Following publication, a Construction Sector Group was established to support implementation of the Strategy. The Group is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, and includes Secretaries General and key officials from the Department of Finance; Department...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: I move:"That Dáil Éireann:supports the establishment of Irish Water as a long-term strategic investment project that will deliver the scale of investment necessary to deliver water services infrastructure to the highest standards required to meet the needs of the Irish people; recognises that managing our water resources effectively is essential to ensure that Ireland can continue...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: This is a significant moment for the country. We as a Government have made mistakes, but we now face a critical choice. Put simply, we now have a choice that is based on either short-term emotion and anger or long-term prudence and common sense. Anger is never a good starting point for any key decision. The issue of future water provision in this country needs a more sober and considered...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: The starting date for domestic water charging is being pushed back to 1 January 2015, with first bills to issue from the first week of April 2015. In cases where water is unfit for human consumption, the affected customers will receive a 100% discount on the costs of their drinking water supply for the duration of the restriction. Therefore, customers will be required to pay only for the...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Those are the facts. When we examine water charges and take into account last month's budget, every household will be better off in 2015 than in 2014 because of the considered actions over a number of years of this Government. Let me repeat this. A meter can only save a household money. I am tired of the Opposition persistently declaring it would fix the leaks before metering. Given...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Households now have a fresh opportunity to register with Irish Water. If a household fails to register, it will receive a default bill for €260 per annum per dwelling. In addition, such households will not be entitled to the €100 water conservation grant. For now, there is no need for customers who have already responded to do anything. Some households may need to amend...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Irish Water will concentrate on its core role and services into the future. Therefore, there will be no call-out service or charge. If householders have an internal leak, they should do what they always did, call a plumber. The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it is a more straightforward means of addressing water...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: To clarify the situation for mixed use customers who are both domestic customers and non-domestic customers of Irish Water, for example, in the case of an apartment over a shop or a house on a farm. These households are billed separately for both uses, with separate accounts. The charging regime for non-domestic use will remain the same as applied under the relevant local authority, until...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Alan Kelly: Prior to this, I will be asking my Department and Irish Water to consult with property owner representatives.