Results 4,521-4,540 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 333, 351 and 355 together. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to address noise pollution through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on the spot fines) and provision for mediation between neighbours. The development of new noise legislation by my Department will be considered in the context of this commitment. As...

Written Answers — Local Authority Mergers: Local Authority Mergers (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I intend to issue further details as soon as possible on planning and implementation arrangements for the establishment of a unitary authority in Limerick in mid-2014. As a consequence of the restructuring process, local electoral areas in Limerick will have to be reviewed and I would expect to establish a boundary committee to undertake this work in late 2012 in order to be in a position to...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 304 of 12 July 2011 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: Details of income and expenditure from the Environment Fund for the years 2008 and 2009 are available in the Fund's audited Annual Accounts. These are available from the Oireachtas library and on my Department's website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Waste/EnvironmentFund/. The 2010 and 2011 Annual Accounts will be published in due course after they have been audited by the...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: Under section 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996 it is open to a local authority to enter into an agreement with a private sector service provider in relation to the collection of household waste and a number of local authorities have done so. However, it should be noted that such developments have not necessarily resulted in the abandonment of waiver schemes; in several local authority...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 354 together. At present the 34 county and city councils are required to recover the costs of providing water services to non-domestic customers. The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in households connected to public water...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: Information regarding the number of whole time equivalent (WTE) staff employed in each local authority on 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2010 is presented in the following table. The end 2009 figure was 32,252.64 while for 2010 it was 30,902.84 - a reduction of 1,349.8. Local Authority End of Dec 2009 End of Dec 2010 County Carlow 331 297.24 Cavan 446.35 434.09 Clare 828.36 810.19...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department has a central policy and oversight function in relation to the Local Government Superannuation Scheme, while the day to day administration of the Scheme is a matter for individual local authorities. Cork City Council is the trustee of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme in respect of the individual referred to in the question. As indicated in the reply to Question No. 409...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I assume the Question refers to General Purpose Grants paid to local authorities out of the Local Government Fund. The two principle sources of revenue for the Fund are the full proceeds of motor tax and an Exchequer contribution. In line with previous years, it would be my intention to inform local authorities of their 2012 General Purpose Grant allocations in late 2011 following Budget...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV), which is applied...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: The former Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs entered into a contract to fund the National Voluntary Drug Sector for three years from 2008-2010 under the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. The contract was extended until the end of June 2011. Organisations participating in the scheme were aware that funding beyond the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: Information regarding requests from Donegal County Council for exceptions to the employment moratorium is outlined in the table below. Donegal County Council – Sanctions sought Year No. of exemptions requested Permanent posts approved Contract posts approved Acting-up arrangements approved Requests withdrawn Requests Refused Requests Pending Aug–Dec 2009 24 1 23 2010 174.5 20 71.5...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together. The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of the charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and is being levied and collected by local authorities. The Act places the onus on the owner to assess his or her liability in the first instance...

Written Answers — Local Authority Budgets: Local Authority Budgets (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. It is also a matter for individual local authorities to manage their own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. I met with the Cathaoirleach of...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together. There are no specific regulations governing crematoria in Ireland. My Department is not aware of any EU Directive on crematoria. However, the establishment and operation of a crematorium would be subject, where applicable, to the provisions of certain other legislation dealing with planning and development, environmental protection and...

Written Answers — Professional Regulation: Professional Regulation (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: My functional responsibilities in relation to the regulation of the Engineering Profession primarily arise under the Building Control Act 1990. A number of other Departments and Agencies also have functional responsibilities in relation to the matter and the Engineers Ireland submission referred to in the question has been brought to the attention of relevant public bodies as appropriate....

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (19 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Waste Disposal (20 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputy Lawlor for raising what is an important matter for his community and for providing me with an opportunity to update the House on the substantial effort being made by the relevant agencies, with financial support from my Department, to address the issues involved. As the Deputy indicated, substantial funding has already been provided from the Environment Fund to deal with the...

Litter Pollution (20 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputy Lynch for raising the issue of litter pollution, a matter in which I also have a very keen interest. The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat litter effectively. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering must come from the local authorities. The role of my Department is to provide the legislative...

Litter Pollution (20 Jul 2011)

Phil Hogan: Given the public health issues involved, enforcement of the legislation falls to the Health Service Executive. Furthermore, where problems of this nature occur in local authority accommodation, the local authority, in its capacity as landlord, has a responsibility to ensure the property is being maintained in a reasonable condition and does not constitute a health risk. The landlord may in...