Results 5,341-5,360 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: My Department is currently examining options to strengthen legislation on noise pollution, with a view to meeting the programme for Government commitment to publish comprehensive legislation on noise pollution as a matter of priority. A consultation paper was published on 27 August 2008 which outlines possible future measures which could be introduced to further alleviate noise nuisance....

Written Answers — Local Authority Staffing: Local Authority Staffing (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Planning authorities received 33,355 applications in the first half of 2008, a decrease of 34.6% on the same period in 2007. Planning authorities made 32,342 decisions in the first half of 2008, a decrease of 31% on the same period in 2007. Of the decisions made in the first half of 2008, 59.9% were made within 8 weeks as compared with 59.1% in the same period in 2007. Some 18,411 of...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Planning permissions are typically granted for a period of 5 years, though a planning authority may, having regard to the nature and extent of the relevant development and any other material consideration, specify a longer period during which a permission is to have effect. Where a planning permission expires, the developer may seek an extension of the relevant period. Subject to compliance...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: The position in regard to Ministers of State assigned to my Department is as follows. Minister of State Finneran is responsible for a range of functions relating to Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas. Minister of State Kitt is responsible for functions relating to environmental protection, the Rural Water Programme, aspects of environmental information, awareness and promotion,...

Written Answers — Estate Completions: Estate Completions (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 to 400, inclusive, together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 30 of 23 October 2008. The information requested in relation to the number of estates taken in charge by local authorities is not available in my Department. However, a new local government service indicator in relation to the taking in charge of estates has been introduced, and will provide...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Work to merge the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board, into the Local Government Services Board, has been initiated and is expected to require the preparation of legislation. These Bodies are funded through the local government system rather than by way of direct Exchequer subvention, and their merging will be designed to promote...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: The Gweedore Sewerage Scheme, which will serve Bunbeg and Derrybeg, and the Burtonport, Dungloe and Glenties Sewerage Schemes are included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009. My Department is awaiting submission by Donegal County Council of revised proposals for the Gweedore scheme, additional information relating to the Council's Preliminary...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which was commenced with effect from April 2004, introduced a registration system for quarries and provided that, following registration, planning authorities could impose appropriate controls on different categories of quarry. The owner or operator of a quarry was required, within one year of commencement of the section, to provide...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: In its judgment of 3 July 2008, the European Court of Justice ruled that the retention permission system as it applies in Irish law with regard to projects that require or may require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) under the EIA Directives does not comply with the Directives and needs to be amended. Irish legislation fails to ensure that EIAs will be conducted prior to the...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: The maintenance of graveyards is primarily a matter for the owners concerned. The management of public burial grounds is a matter for each local authority and one in which I have no direct function. My Department does not keep records of ownership of burial grounds. I am advised that Cork County Council is endeavouring to establish the ownership of Carr's Hill graveyard and no decision as to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: In line with Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 governing the appointment and role of Special Advisers, I have appointed an Adviser as Press and Information Officer in my Department. The Press and Information Officer is supported in his role by three civil servants — one Higher Executive Officer; one Executive Officer and one Clerical Officer — all of whom work in the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: As set out in the recent Budget Day announcement, decisions on the implementation timelines for the proposed relocation of my Department's offices to Waterford, New Ross and Kilkenny have been deferred pending a review in 2011 in light of the budgetary situation. Decisions on the relocation of the Local Government Computer Services Board to Drogheda and the National Building Agency to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together. The Government announcement on 14 October 2008 confirmed that the decentralisation of my Department's Headquarters to Wexford (270 posts) will proceed as planned. However the transfer of posts to the three other locations in the South East — Waterford (225 posts), New Ross (125 posts) and Kilkenny (62 posts) — is being deferred...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: As part of the decentralisation programme, 270 posts in my Department are due to transfer to the Department's new Headquarters in Wexford during 2009. A rationalisation programme is being developed in respect of the Department's remaining offices in Dublin. A number of smaller offices in the city centre will be vacated and the relevant staff transferred into existing accommodation,...

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: My Department allocates funds annually to individual local authorities on the basis of priority areas identified in capital and current expenditure proposals submitted by them each year; Capital funds are intended to address the priority needs of people with a disability by providing and improving accessibility to public buildings, roads, footpaths, beaches, amenity areas, heritage sites and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together. The information requested is set out in the following tables: Minister Number of staff Grade/Salary level Location John Gormley 0.5 Personal Secretary-Executive Officer salary scale Department 2 Executive Officer Department 2.5 Clerical Officer Department Minister of State Number of staff Grade Location Michael Kitt 1 Personal...

Written Answers — Local Government Boundaries: Local Government Boundaries (6 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I have recently received an application for a boundary alteration from Balbriggan Town Council, under Part V of the Local Government Act 1991. The application is currently being examined in my Department and I will make a decision in due course on completion of this examination.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (6 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: The facility is a private sector development which has been the subject of the independent planning and waste licensing determinations provided for under the Planning and Waste Management Acts, and from which my involvement is statutorily precluded. In addition, there are legal proceedings before the High Court concerning compliance with EU requirements. In the circumstances it would not be...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (6 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Hare coursing in the State is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, set up under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Statutory responsibility for the Act is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. My responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relate to the conservation of populations of certain protected species including hares. My Department recently issued a licence under...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Absences of staff on annual or sick leave are tracked through the Flexible Working Hours (FWH) system. This system applies to all administrative staff up to and including Higher Executive Officer. All staff must comply with the requirements set out in the relevant Department of Finance Circulars and this Department's Sick Leave Guidelines. The annual and sick leave of staff not on the...