Results 5,181-5,200 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (10 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 134 together. I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested and there is no question of non-registered persons being allowed to use the title of architect. Section 22 of the Act makes specific provision for a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (10 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department delivers the Local and Community Development Programme. While it does not directly provide grants to produce community newsletters, it funds actions aimed at tackling poverty and social exclusion - among other things, it supports actions which facilitate increased access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources for...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Issues: Health and Safety Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The issue of potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report published by Government in March 2007 entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields. This report is available for download on my Department's website (www.environ.ie/en/publications ). The Expert Group examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (10 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland commits the Government to the introduction of a property tax for 2012. The Programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing, improve accountability and better align the cost of providing services with the demand for such...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (10 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together. Following an application by Dublin City Council, the High Court ordered that the unsafe development at Priory Hall be evacuated on 20 October 2011 and that the developer carry out an agreed schedule of necessary remedial works to be reviewed by the Court on a weekly basis. In response to a report from Dublin City Council stating that the...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (10 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The following tables set out the information requested: No. of private vehicles taxed on the basis of CO2 emissions at 30 September 2011 CO2 emissions category (grams per km) No. of vehicles A (under 120) 82,235 B (121 – 140) 152,669 C (141 – 155) 57,730 D (156 – 170) 24,221 E (171 – 190) 9,672 F (191 – 255) 3,890 G (over 255) 645 Total 331,062 No. of private vehicles...

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I welcome the opportunity to introduce this Bill, which has already had a speedy passage through all Stages in the Seanad. This short piece of legislation is needed to allow for the dissolution of the Dormant Accounts Board and to transfer the statutory functions of the board to me as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. This is in line with the recommendations of...

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I will address that in my reply.

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: Dormant accounts.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 366 and 404 together. The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, developed by the previous Government, was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010. The Act provides that all dog breeding establishments be required to register with the relevant local authority, that they pay a registration fee and that they meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The matters raised in this question relate to the responsibilities of a number of Government Departments and Agencies. These include my own Department which is responsible for the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and the administration of the Walks Scheme; the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to the National Parks and Wildlife Services;...

Written Answers — National Homelessness Strategy: National Homelessness Strategy (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 364, 365 and 382 together. 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. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons and the maintenance of...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: In relation to existing city and county managers no serving manager's tenure is due to expire and no manager is due to retire before the end of February 2012. The pension entitlements for local authority managers are set out in Article 78 of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998.

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. The Act defines residential property as including flats, apartments and...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 376, 377, 379 and 380 together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 257, 258, 268, 269, 292, 294, 295 and 302 of 2 November 2011 which sets out the position. The Climate Policy Review was published on 3 November 2011 and is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together. I have no function in relation to the matters raised in the Questions which are the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Donegal County Council. However, following receipt of a representation from Deputy Joe McHugh, Co-Chair of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, I took the opportunity, while...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department does not provide grant assistance to community or voluntary organisations for compliance with the Building Regulations. However, Section 22 of the Building Control Regulations 1997 – 2009 provides for an exemption from fees for voluntary organisations or bodies standing approved for the purposes of section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes small public sewerage schemes such as this one, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection and approval of individual schemes for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is...

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department has recently issued its latest progress report under the Croke Park Agreement, to the Implementation Body for the Agreement. I understand that the Implementation Body is currently considering the progress reports and is due to publish a summary of the progress reported on its website shortly. All progress reports for individual public service bodies, including each state...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (15 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 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. Axis 4 or the LEADER Axis provides support for the use of a "bottom up"...