Results 2,601-2,620 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works is continuing to carry out repair works on damaged flood defences on the River Maine Scheme following the serious storms that took place in the region in January and February of this year. Given the extent of works required and the limitations of available resources, works are prioritised and carried out on a planned phased basis. I am advised that OPW engineers...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) informed Kerry County Council, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, that up to €1,226,920 is available to the Council via the Office of Public Works (OPW) to undertake the necessary repair works to coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure damaged during the Winter storms....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13 December to 6 January 2014. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, that up...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the flooding problem raised in the Deputy's question is due to problems with the surface water drainage infrastructure at this location. The Office of Public Works has no responsibility in this matter. It is a matter for Fingal County Council in the first instance.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Recruitment (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: All recruitment undertaken by the Office of Public Works is governed by the necessity to remain within the staffing limits directed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform through the Employment Control Framework (ECF), together with level of funding made available to meet payroll costs. Recruitment of additional permanent staff is subject to the sanction provided via that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: A short stretch of embankment which is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW) is used as an unofficial slipway at this location and hence the crest is slightly lower than the rest of the embankment. It is envisaged that the OPW will have an excavator in the locality in the near future and will address the matter that the Deputy refers to then. With regard to the sluice...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: It is a matter for Kerry County Council, in the first instance, to investigate and address flooding issues in the County. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has no assets in Ballylongford and, therefore, has no direct responsibility in maintaining or improving existing flood defences. However, Ballylongford was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as an area where...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Following on the Government Decision of 11 February 2014, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, up to €1,226,920 is available to the Council via the Office of Public Works (OPW) to undertake the necessary repair works to damaged coastal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works is responsible only for the approval of programmes of works and the disbursement to local authorities of the funding allocated by Government for repair of damage to public coastal protection infrastructure. The Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Transport, Tourism and Sport and Agriculture, Food and the Marine are responsible for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works received an application from Kerry County Council for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for flood alleviation works at this location. This application is currently being assessed having regard to the eligibility criteria for the Minor Works scheme which requires the proposed works to be cost beneficial and to the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that their primary focus is to protect and conserve the existing buildings and fortifications of the Magazine Fort, which is a protected structure. The Fort is regularly inspected for evidence of any unauthorised access and routine maintenance works are carried out when required. I recently inspected the site myself as part of a more general...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Proposals to deal with the flooding issue in Cork City were placed on display in the City Hall on 29 July 2014 at an Information Day undertaken to inform the public of the emerging Scheme for the City. Members of the Design Team were in attendance on the day to explain the proposals and to deal with queries from the public. Over two hundred people attended on the day. The public were invited...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Fuels Issues (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies John O'Mahony and Michelle Mulherin for raising an issue that is causing considerable concern to constituents in Mayo. I am pleased to have this opportunity to respond to the issues raised on behalf of the Minister for Finance. I am aware that the Revenue Commissioners have recently received reports of the alleged stretching of petrol using kerosene or other substances....

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Fuels Issues (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I reiterate my thanks to both Mayo Deputies, Deputy O'Mahony and Deputy Mulherin, for raising and highlighting this issue in the House and giving me an opportunity to outline to the House the seriousness with which the Minister for Finance treats this matter, as does the Revenue Commissioners. The Deputies have both made the point that as well as this illegal activity a significant number...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Following the period of coastal storm flood damage from 13 December, 2013 to 6th January, and the Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 to provide funding for damage repairs, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, up to €1,226,920 is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together. The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing public infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13th December to 6th January 2014. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes Expenditure (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works commenced repair works on embankments at the location referred to by the Deputy at Callinafercy West, Milltown, Co. Kerry earlier this year, following the tidal storm surge of 3 January. These flood defences are within the Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme, which is under the care of the OPW. The OPW intends to carry out further repair works before the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works received an application from Kerry County Council for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for flood alleviation works at this location. This application is currently being assessed having regard to the eligibility criteria for the Scheme which requires the proposed works to be cost beneficial and to the availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Applications (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: A Feasibility Study to examine the options to address the flooding problem in Sneem is being undertaken by the Office of Public Works in partnership with Kerry County Council. A potential option to address the problem has been identified by the OPW. A channel survey has been carried out and gauges have been installed to begin the process of collecting the flow data that will be required to...

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to be here on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who, as Senator Susan O’Keeffe pointed out, was sorry he was unable to take the full debate due to another commitment. I thank all Senators for the constructive, informed and insightful contributions to this debate. This legislation is a real example of how parliamentary democracy and...