Results 5,041-5,060 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 36 together. I expect to bring the Bill to establish a system of registration and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site systems to Government shortly seeking approval for its publication. Full details of how the new system will operate will be announced at the time. I can confirm that the new legislation will provide that householders register...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the main community development programme operated by my Department in support of the voluntary and community sector. The aim of the LCDP is to counter disadvantage and promote equality and social and economic inclusion through partnership and constructive engagement with disadvantaged communities. The overall funding allocation for the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 43 together. 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....

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 350 and 323 of 18 October 2011. The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) is divided into 4 Axes. Axis 1 deals with competitiveness of the agricultural sector, Axis 2 aims to improve the countryside and environment and the objectives of Axis 3 are to support the diversification of the rural economy and improve the quality of life in rural areas....

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Of the 55 recommendations contained in the Report of the High Level Group on Green Enterprise, 17 are directly relevant to my Department. Of those, 6 actions have been fully delivered, including the lowering of thresholds for wind farm approvals under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, the implementation of the Food Waste Regulations and the transfer of responsibility for foreshore licensing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the EU/IMF includes a commitment to introduce water charges for households. The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals and further details will be announced following the Government's...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am satisfied that the people selected for the panel seeking to facilitate a resolution of the pyrite contamination issue have the necessary experience and qualifications for this task. My Department will provide them with any required technical and administrative support.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Regulations are already in place for the testing of aggregates. The Construction Products Directive provides for a system of harmonised technical specifications for construction products. IS EN 13242:2002 is a harmonised European Product Standard for "Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials" for use in civil engineering work and road construction. IS EN 13242:2002 was...

Written Answers — Building Insurance: Building Insurance (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: HomeBond is a private limited company providing structural guarantees for new houses and, since November 2008, the HomeBond Insurance Scheme is underwritten by Allianz Insurance. As in the case of any private company its operations are a matter for its management and Board of Directors. My Department understands that HomeBond Insurance Services Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Since February 2011 the following, involving a limited period of operation in which to undertake discrete tasks, have been established by my Department: - two independent statutory Referendum Commissions, in accordance with the Referendum Act (1998), for the purposes of the two forthcoming referenda on the Constitution. - a Constituency Commission under the Electoral Act 1997 to review...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 352 of 18 October 2011 which addresses my immediate priority in regard to climate change.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The landfill levy is chargeable on waste presented for disposal at landfill facilities. The increase in the levy to €50 per tonne which I recently introduced is intended to send a strong price signal to the producers, collectors and managers of waste, to alter behaviour and to encourage a shift away from landfill to more sustainable management of waste. Further increases in the levy are...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: A number of local authorities, through conditions attached to Waste Collection Permits, require waste collectors to provide a 3-bin service, including the brown bin for organic material, to a set percentage of the households served. In 2009, the number of local authority areas where household brown bin waste was collected at kerbside increased to 22 from 16 in 2008. I am anxious to see an...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together. Responsibility for performance of local authority functions is shared between the elected members, as public representatives, and the manager. However, the majority of the major decisions are reserved as the exclusive prerogative of the elected members who also enjoy various powers which enable them generally to oversee and direct the...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The overall objectives for investment in water services are to ensure that the timing and scale of investment facilitates economic and other development, achieves compliance with statutory requirements and promotes environmental sustainability objectives. The main vehicle for achieving these objectives is the multi-annual Water Services Investment Programme. The Water Services Investment...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department provides funding towards group water schemes by way of annual block grant allocations to local authorities under the Department's Rural Water Programme. Responsibility for the administration of this programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual group scheme proposals for funding and advancement under the programme, within...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The primary objective of water conservation is to reduce water loss and leakage in the distribution networks to an economic level and to address high levels of unaccounted for water. Since the national water conservation programme was rolled out in 2003, over €187 million has been specifically invested in water conservation by my Department. In addition, local authorities fund active...

Written Answers — Fire Services: Fire Services (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I thank Senators for their co-operation on this legislation, for their contributions and for the speedy passing of this essential Bill.

Seanad: Priory Hall Development (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: After that grá mo chroí, I can reply to the House. The events of last week have been extremely distressing and, of course, stressful for the residents of Priory Hall. Through no fault of their own, they have had to struggle with the consequences of building defects in their apartment complex. As the Senator is aware, Dublin City Council was granted a High Court Order on 14 October 2011 for...