Results 6,001-6,020 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: For the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland is committed to limiting greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels over the 2008-2012 period. In accordance with the National Climate Change Strategy we will meet that target on foot of domestic mitigation action supplemented by the purchase of carbon allowances or credits under the flexible mechanisms provided for in the protocol....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to amend Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. There is no question of the term architect being applied exclusively to university qualified architects. Section 22 of the Act makes specific provision for a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. Local authorities are responsible for enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations in relation to all rented properties. Regulations setting out minimum standards for private rented accommodation were first set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. However, it became clear in recent...

Written Answers — Shared Ownership Scheme: Shared Ownership Scheme (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 144 together. Any borrower, including a borrower purchasing under the shared ownership scheme, who is facing difficulties in meeting mortgage repayments, should engage proactively and constructively with the lender to seek to achieve an agreed solution. The services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service are also available to such borrowers and...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to further improve the energy efficiency of new buildings with a view to moving towards carbon neutral homes in the longer term. In tandem with this commitment, Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings requires EU Member States, inter alia, to ensure that all new buildings will be nearly zero-energy by 31 December 2020 (or...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Pyrite Panel has been set up as an independent body and is carrying out its work on that basis. I understand that it is currently engaging in a consultation process with a broad range of key stakeholders. I have asked for a report to be submitted to me early in the New Year and on receipt of it, I will consider what, if any, action is necessary in relation to the structural guarantee...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (30 Nov 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 — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes the objective that "Ireland will be developed as a centre of excellence in green finance and carbon management, through the creation of an enabling, co-ordinated and supportive environment." In this regard, I refer to the comprehensive reply which An Taoiseach provided to Question No. 1 on Tuesday 22 November 2011 which, inter alia, refers to the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 applies to estates which have been granted planning permission and include the construction of 2 or more houses (which as defined in the Act includes apartments) and the provision of new roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, water mains or drains.In relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Government remains fully committed to the regeneration of disadvantaged areas of our cities and towns including the areas of Moyross, St Mary's Park, Southill and Ballinacurra/Weston in Limerick City. I intend to make sufficient funding available under the 2012 capital allocations to ensure that real progress is made in implementing regeneration projects in these areas. The integration of...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: This year my Department is providing €203 million to support a number of measures aimed at improving the quality and standard of local authority social housing stock, ranging from large-scale regeneration and estate-wide improvement works to the retrofitting and refurbishment of individual vacant and occupied units. €31 million of this is being provided to local authorities to undertake...

Written Answers — Local Authority Bodies: Local Authority Bodies (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is engaging with local authorities in order to develop a new sectoral strategy to promote employment and support local enterprise by local government in a number of areas. This includes the identification and dissemination of best practice in relation to local enterprise and business support arrangements. Local authorities play a central role in supporting economic development...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: As Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I retain responsibility for housing matters.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 45 together. With levels of capital funding for social housing reduced by some 66.23% since 2008, the financial parameters within which Ireland is operating, and will be operating over the coming years, rule out a return to very large capital-funded construction programmes by local authorities. Accordingly, delivery of social housing will be primarily...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is providing an allocation of €14 million to Cork City Council in 2011 for the delivery of two major regeneration projects at Knocknaheeny and the Glen. A major focus of the 2011 regeneration programme for the City Council has been to complete the review of the Knocknaheeny regeneration masterplan. This revised plan recently received support from both the City Council and the...

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The Committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities...

Written Answers — State Properties: State Properties (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is responsible for the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and the administration of the Walks Scheme, and works in co-operation with a number of State Agencies, Government Departments, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies to develop, and to support the development of, facilities for countryside recreation and activity tourism. Outdoor...

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: The developer of a residential estate is statutorily required to complete the development in accordance with the terms of the planning permission. A development which has not been completed in accordance with the planning permission is unauthorised development. Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, which can take action where a development requiring...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: Each year my Department makes a large volume of payments to a wide range of organisations and individuals. The information requested, in relation to an extensive number of payments over a five year period, is not readily available in my Department and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. If the Deputy wishes to put down a more specific question in the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 Nov 2011)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 381 of 25 October 2011, which outlines the position in regard to the capital assistance scheme.