Results 6,581-6,600 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Report on Promoting a Sustainable Future for the Post Office Network: Statements (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I wish to apologise for the unavoidable absence of the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, who is attending a Cabinet meeting. As we draw this discussion on the post office network to a conclusion, I acknowledge and appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important topic. It is clearly evident from the various speakers how much the post office network matters to the daily lives of ordinary...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Services Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Dublin water supply scheme long-term water source is listed as a scheme at planning stage in my Department’s water services investment programme 2010 to 2013. Dublin City Council is the lead authority for this scheme, on behalf of all of the water services authorities in the greater Dublin area. Studies carried out for the city council and a strategic environmental assessment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Services Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: With respect, it has to be done properly and well. Although it may take up to seven years it does not mean each process is not fully thought out and planned. All of the issues that might arise must be dealt with. The project requirements for implementation by 2020 include the planning phase and the preparation of the environmental impact assessment; the preparation and submission of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Services Provision (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Dublin City Council is aware that there is only a 1% difference between supply and demand. Therefore, if anything significant occurs the supply could be in crisis. Normally, a city has a 15% surplus because of other outages or problems that might arise. I refute utterly that Dublin City Council is dragging its heals. If Deputy Stanley has questions then he ought to ask Dublin City Council...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 59, 68, 71, 81, 88, 91, 93 and 835 together. The programme for Government and the memorandum of understanding with the EU, IMF and ECB provide for the introduction of domestic water charges. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will answer those questions as best I can. In the context of the first of them, in my initial reply I provided a clear answer on block meters. A parallel process will obtain here. Block meters are essential and useful. They measure the amount of water going into a particular block of properties - be it 24 houses or 300 - and one can then ascertain how much of this is being used. They...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy's first question relates to the audit and to the costs involved in bringing the network up to date before metering commences. Each local authority is involved in an ongoing process to identify the number of homes with single water supplies which can be upgraded immediately. Some homes have shared water supplies and for others the point of entry for the supply is to the rear of...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The issue of rainwater harvesting raised by Deputy Joan Collins is an important point. Conservation measures must go hand in hand with water metering in order to get public acceptance of what is happening. The selling of the message through Irish Water, Uisce Éireann, to the consumer is critical. I concur that all the issues need to be addressed in order that the public understands...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I would be happy to share with the Deputy the information I have. The question of privatisation does not, will not, cannot and is not arising. The next legislation in this area will make that absolutely clear. The existing legislation does not allow for privatisation. The legislation in the course of preparation will make that as crystal clear as is possible and I would be confident that...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: They are not compelled. That is a critical point, which I accept, but I assume they would have to have very good reasons not to opt for a company that is pre-qualified, local, that has the capacity and has tax clearance certificates. However, it does not preclude Uisce Éireann from doing-----

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I cannot say that. I believe that Irish Water has said that but I personally have not seen anything about that matter but that is what the firm is on record as saying. I understand, subject to correction, that there will be three regional contractors of the eight different regions followed by the subcontracting. The start date for metering will be announced shortly. It is imminent. When...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I agree the representatives on the board is an important point. Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, is not here to clarify the position regarding his proposals on that. As I said, it will also involve the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, but the Deputy's points are well-made. I do not see any reason there will not be a satisfactory conclusion in terms of the principle involved. If that...

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The RAPID programme covers urban areas designated as disadvantaged by reference to a range of socio-economic criteria including the level of early school leaving, the proportion of one-parent households, the unemployment rate, the proportion of social housing and the age dependency ratio. The RAPID programme aims to ensure priority attention is given to tackling the concentration of poverty...

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Okay. No problem.

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have no responsibility for that issue in the Department.

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to answer personally. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, would be able to give the Deputy the details he is seeking, which are not mentioned in Question No. 62. Therefore, I cannot give him an answer. I accept there are financial difficulties but clearly the budget for RAPID is a priority budget. In 2004, it was €3.276 million while it will be €3.077 million for 2013....

Other Questions: RAPID Programme (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The messages given by certain parties were acted on by the public, which can be seen in the paltry presence of the Deputy's party in this Chamber. I wish to make clear that in 2011, funding from my Department for RAPID was €2.269 million. This year, it is €3.077 million, so notwithstanding the serious economic difficulties we all face, the fact is that money was significantly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Recreation Policy (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Comhairle na Tuaithe, which is chaired by my Department, has agreed a priority list of activities in line with the objectives of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy, to be undertaken in the short to medium term and to be kept under review. The renewal of Walks Scheme contracts in respect of 14 trails involving almost 900 participants will be finalised by the end of this year. A Pilot...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Administration (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The local government funding model will change considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014 the nister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year; this revenue will be allocated to local authorities from the Fund. In addition, the establishment of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which aims to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of people over 65 years of age. The budget allocation for 2013 for the Seniors Alert Scheme is €2.35m. The Scheme provides grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of equipment to...