Results 8,381-8,400 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Environmental Regulations: Environmental Regulations (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. My Department's responsibility for fuel quality standards arises from the perspective of ensuring that petrol and diesel sold in the State meet prescribed environmental specifications to reduce the polluting effect that certain substances have on the environment, when emitted to air as part of the fuel combustion process. This primarily...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Following an incident on 15 March 2012 in a home in the Gleann Riadha estate in Longford town, Longford County Council, acting in consultation with the Health Services Executive, has conducted gas monitoring in a small number of homes on the estate. One home showed unusually high levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) for a short period on 21 June 2012. As a precautionary public health measure and...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (11 Jul 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. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government has assigned responsibility for response to all kind of emergencies to three of its executive bodies – termed the Principal Response Agencies – An Garda Síochána, The Health Service Executive and the Local Authorities. The Framework for Major Emergency Management is intended to enable the Principal Response Agencies to prepare for and make a co-ordinated response to major...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans in relation to the matters raised in the Question, as they are within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland. The coordination and implementation of the Government's policy on the management of flood risk in Ireland, in conjunction with responsibilities under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945-1995, form one of the core services of the OPW. The OPW is also responsible for the national flood risk management...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: On behalf of the Government I express my sympathy to those affected by the flooding in Cork last week. While, thankfully, no lives were lost, the flooding has impacted on homes and businesses in various areas of Cork. General purpose grants from the Local Government Fund are my Department's contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of...

Written Answers — Pyrite Remediation Programme: Pyrite Remediation Programme (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I recently received the report of the independent panel which I set up in September 2011 to explore options for the resolution if pyrite problems in private housing. It is my intention to publish the report shortly, following its consideration by Government.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The following is the position in relation legislation initiated by me since coming to office. 1. Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011 which has completed all stages in both Houses but has not yet been signed into law by the President 2. Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, enacted in 2012 3. Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011– enacted 4. Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011 -...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (11 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Government Departments follow procedures outlined in the Cabinet Handbook. These require that, where proposals for legislation relate to matters on which Government policy has not already been laid down, or where they involve a new development or a material departure from existing policy, they should first be submitted to the Government by way of a memorandum for a decision in principle on...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Both the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences are on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the respective liability date to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, that person is required to declare that liability by completing the relevant declaration form and to pay the charge by the due date. There is...

Written Answers — Tidy Towns Committees: Tidy Towns Committees (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The guiding principle of TidyTowns is volunteerism and self-help, using one's own skills and resources to improve one's own environment. Committees are usually comprised of local volunteers representing the local area. As with any volunteer committee intending to expand in their area, I would advise that they advertise in their local paper, on notice boards, in schools, libraries,...

Written Answers — Non-Principal Private Residence Charge: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of the charge on non-principal private residences (NPPR). The charge is set at €200 and is being levied and collected by local authorities. The Act places the onus on an owner of a residential property which is situated in the State to assess his or her liability...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The amounts paid by building contractors and developers to companies providing structural guarantees, including amounts paid to HomeBond, are a matter between the parties concerned and not one in which the local authority or my Department had any involvement. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide details of the amounts paid by contractors or developers in respect of the structural...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 183 together. I have recently received the report of the independent pyrite panel and I am currently considering its content and recommendations in relation to providing options for a resolution for homeowners dealing with pyrite problems. It is my intention to publish the report shortly, following its consideration by Government.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: While the operation of the motor tax system is kept under regular review, I have no plans currently to introduce the collection of motor tax through the post office network. Under existing arrangements, motor tax is payable in person or by post via motor tax offices in twenty nine local authorities. It is also payable online at any time, with some 55% of vehicle owners who are eligible to...

Written Answers — Non-Principal Private Residence Charge: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. The Act places the onus on an owner of a residential property which is situated in the State to assess his or...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 864 of 18 April 2012, 273 of 8 May 2012 and 99 of 21 June 2012, and Sligo County Council's decision to engage an independent financial consultant to prepare a report on the financial position of the Council. The report is intended to inform and advise the Council members and management on possible ways forward in dealing with the challenging financial...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Accordingly, the detailed information sought is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Local Authority Management: Local Authority Management (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) is the organisation through which senior managers in local government provide sectoral leadership across business and programme areas. The CCMA works closely with Government Departments and other key stakeholders to engage on and to advance key public service delivery issues. The operation of the CCMA, as such, and duties of its Chairperson,...