Results 7,741-7,760 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: There is no universal entitlement to grant assistance under the Seniors Alert Scheme. It is the responsibility of the Applicant Group to assess the eligibility of the beneficiary for grant support. The beneficiary must be 65 years of age, and live alone or with another eligible person within the operational area of the Applicant Group. Grant assistance is not available for people under 65...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 491 to 493, inclusive, together. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. The household charge is on a self assessment basis and interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the Courts. Section 2 of the Act provides the meaning of...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The most recent funding to the organisation referred to in the question was grant aid of €546,551 in 2008 under the EU co-funded Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2007-2013 (Peace III). The programme is jointly funded by the EU, Ireland and Northern Ireland, with an Irish contribution of 36.26% of the total cost. The Irish contribution, which was provided by my Department, amounted...

Written Answers — Burial Grounds: Burial Grounds (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: While my Department has responsibility for rules and regulations regarding burial grounds, this responsibility does not extend to the cost of burial plots. This is a matter for each local authority in respect of the cemeteries and burial grounds it provides.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: Information on the number of women who occupied positions at manager or assistant county manager level in cities and counties prior to the inception of Better Local Government; the number of women subsequently appointed as directors of services; and the number of female managers or directors of services currently in place is not held by my Department. Local government competitions at senior...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I understand that the Pyrite Panel hopes to be in a position to submit its report to me in the next month. On receipt of the report, I will give careful consideration to its content and any recommendations it may contain, including in regard to legislation.

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The investigation of noise complaints is generally a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Kerry County Council. My Department has been informed by Kerry County Council that a formal noise complaint has now been made by a local resident concerning an alleged noise of unidentified origin in the area of Beaufort. This matter is currently being investigated by the Council.

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 places a high priority on water conservation. In the year to end September 2011, some 200 kilometres of public water supply pipes had been replaced or rehabilitated under this programme. Funding is particularly targeted at areas where the level of unaccounted for water is unacceptably high. Since the national water...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department has examined the new pension terms for Secretaries General to assess how they may be applied to City and County Managers. In this regard, my Department has submitted detailed proposals to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which are under consideration. The implementation of new pension terms for Managers will require legislation.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: It is not possible in the time available to provide the information requested. My Department has responsibility in respect of some of the activities of Partnership/Local Development Companies. Information relevant to the activities for which my Department is responsible will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The Government considers charging based on usage the fairest way to charge for water and has decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. International evidence has shown that where meters have been installed, significant reductions have been achieved in the level of consumption, and this is...

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I know that.

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The number of households that would not be metered was looked at in the context of the census data, the same as it was by those others whom Deputy Niall Collins mentioned, including the executive manager of Dublin City Council. We all were looking at the same figures. We have done a detailed analysis in the Department on the number of properties that will cause problems in the initial phase...

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: That is what they used to do.

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am surprised that Deputy Stanley would question a proposal to charge for any service considering that the average water charge per household in Northern Ireland equates to almost €1,000.

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: Yes, it does.

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The exact figure is €971. I am aware this is a sensitive issue for the Deputy given that Sinn Féin purports to be all-island party.

Water Charges (3 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am also surprised that the Deputy would take the word of an executive manager of one local authority above the very detailed analysis carried out by my Department on a nationwide basis. I have acknowledged there will be difficulties in respect of the installation of meters in a certain cohort of properties. I will not be out there installing them myself, no more than the Deputy will, but...