Results 7,721-7,740 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to the introduction of a site valuation tax for non agricultural land. The detailed measures required to give effect to a site valuation tax are a matter for consideration by Government, and will be informed by the ongoing work of, and discussions between, the relevant Government Departments and Agencies, including my Department, the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I assume the question refers to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund which will total some €870m in 2010. Local Government Fund general purpose grants are my contribution to meet the difference between the cost to local authorities of providing an acceptable level of day to day services and the income available to them from local sources and from specific grants. These...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: Expenditure provisions for 2010 for the Department and Agencies are set out in the Estimates Volume published by the Minister for Finance as part of Budget 2010. Spending provisions for 2010 have been settled in the context of overall provision for public services and reflect the need to reduce public spending. My Department will maximize outputs from provisions through prioritisation,...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The purpose of the proposed Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations is to transpose the requirements of both the Water Framework Directive (in so far as groundwater is concerned) and the Groundwater Directive (and to provide for transitional arrangements from the existing Groundwater Directive). The Regulations will establish an improved regime for the protection of groundwater,...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The information sought is not available in my Department. I have asked the local authority for a report on the effects of the recent flooding, and the report is awaited.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 to 299, inclusive, together. The following table provides information in respect of those agencies under the aegis of my Department which undertake functions referred to in the Questions. The allocation of staff to specific duties within an agency is a matter for the management of the agency concerned and such detailed information would not generally be...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The Government recently approved the drafting of legislation to prohibit the hunting of deer by a pack of hounds in accordance with a commitment in this regard in the renewed programme for Government. I can confirm that this legislation will not have any implications for other activities such as fox hunting, hare coursing or the shooting of game or deer.

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The terms of reference of the Local Authority Efficiency Review, as announced in the Budget, are as follows: to review the cost base, expenditure of and numbers employed in local authorities with a view to reporting on: - specific recommendations to reduce costs; - the effectiveness of particular programmes; - optimal efficiency in the way programmes are delivered; and, - any other...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together. A scheme to extend the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply to Louisburgh and a scheme to extend the supply from Shrah to Westport and to upgrade the water treatment plant in Tourmakeady are included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 at estimated costs of €6.3m and €21.3m respectively....

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (17 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I understand that the Technical Assessment Board (TAB) provided for in the Building Control Act 2007 has been established by the Registration Body and arrangements for the assessment process are expected to be finalised shortly. The assessment of applications is a matter for the TAB.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Payments are made on the basis of approved farm plans. I understand that the applicant's plan is currently with his farm planner for finalisation. When the final plan is submitted, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department will process the application and, if in order, payment will be made.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I will shortly bring proposals to Government, based on extensive review of national monuments legislation, and substantial stakeholder consultation, with a view to bringing forward a comprehensive and modernised Monuments Bill as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Statistics on local authority enforcement action on litter, including the numbers of fines issued and paid for litter offences, are submitted by local authorities to my Department every six months; the latest figures available relate to the period January - June 2009 and are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I have initiated a review of the emergency response to the recent flooding event and a review will be undertaken on the operation of the co-ordination of the inter-agency arrangements during the recent severe weather event with a view to assessing the performance of the arrangements and to ascertain if any revisions are necessary.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I published the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 on 22 December 2009. The Bill contains provision to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that reviewed the management of dog breeding establishments. A dog breeding establishment is defined in the Bill as a premises with not less than 6 bitches of 4 months old capable of breeding. The Bill proposes that all...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act, 2009, my Department assumed responsibility on 15 January 2010 for a range of foreshore functions including all foreshore energy-related developments (including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy). The foreshore application made by the ESB in respect of the project referred to is at an advanced stage of...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The National Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee is a non standing committee and it was convened for the recent flooding and severe weather events. Its primary purpose is to bring together a whole of Government approach, and to this end it facilitates the exchange of information, ensures co-operation between various Government Departments, statutory agencies, the Defence Forces and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 842 and 881 together. The Local Government (Rates) Act 1970, rather than the Valuation Act 2001, is the relevant piece of legislation in relation to rates waiver schemes. Under the provisions of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970, a rating authority may make and carry out a scheme providing for the waiver by the authority of all or a portion of...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Having regard to available budgetary resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites the ten year derogation given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, has now...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 846 and 854 together. I provided some €16.5m in supplementary funding to assist local authorities in the worst hit areas in meeting the immediate and exceptional costs incurred in dealing with the recent flooding crisis. My Department made payments to affected local authorities in the week before Christmas. On the basis of Clare County Council's...