Results 8,821-8,840 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (26 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: An independently-chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group was established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable local property tax to replace the household charge. The Group recently submitted its report to me and its recommendations will be considered in due course.  Proposals will be brought to Government as soon as possible and it will then be a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Funding (26 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Radon Gas Levels (26 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has worked to assess the extent of the incidence of radon in Ireland, and to increase public awareness of the issue. In 2002 the RPII published the report of the National Radon Survey of radon in homes in Ireland. The results of the national radon survey identified certain parts of the country which...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Members' Remuneration (26 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: Currently, councillors are in receipt of a number of financial supports in recognition of their commitment to service to the community and to contribute to defraying the reasonable expenses of discharging their duties . The structures and levels of councillors ’ payments and expenses will be reviewed in the overall context of a detailed action programme for the reform of local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is outlined in the following table. In accordance with the Government decision in respect of Secretaries General, which also applies to city and county managers, my Department has amended the regulations in respect of the superannuation benefits of city and county managers. Newly appointed city and county managers, unless they have already reached pension age, will...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: In June 2012 I made regulations setting out the procedures for householders to register details of their septic tanks and other wastewater treatment systems with their local authorities. The Local Government Management Agency has developed, on a shared service basis for the 34 county and city councils, an on-line registration facility and the Agency is also tasked with managing a central...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Flood Relief Schemes Applications (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: As lead Government Department for the coordination of the emergency response to the Cork flooding of 28 June 2012, I briefed Government at its meeting of 24 July 2012 on the event, the response and issues arising. The Government noted, inter alia, the requests for a possible compensation scheme for businesses affected by the flooding and agreed that the feasibility and scope of such a scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department does not have a role in setting the overall administration costs of Local Development Companies, as these are independent, private limited companies. There are 51 companies nationally contracted through Pobal to deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), on behalf of my Department and 35 Companies contracted to deliver the Rural Development Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested in respect of current income is set out in the following tables. 2010 is the latest year for which audited information is available. Local Authority Income 2005 (€) Commercial Rates Goods & Services General Purpose Grant / Pension Related Deductions Other Grants & Subsidies Total Carlow County Council 4,021,929 9,209,775 10,704,150...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. Following receipt of the pyrite report, I met with the key stakeholders in the context of making progress on the recommendations in the report dealing with engagement by them in processes that would lead to solutions for homeowners affected by pyrite. Mindful of the very difficult situations faced by affected homeowners and the time...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I believe the approach recommended by the Pyrite Panel to categorise dwellings provides a practical solution to prioritise the remediation of affected dwellings. I agree with the approach recommended in the pyrite report that it would be unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting damage to be remediated simply because there is pyrite in the hardcore and this position is supported in the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question Number 1068 of 18 September 2012 which sets out the position in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have asked the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to develop the following: - a testing and categorisation protocol for reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material; - a method statement to provide guidance for the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings; and - a specification for hardcore for use under concrete floors and footpaths and to undertake a review of the guidance...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Stations Upgrade (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (27 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 42 and 44 of 18 September 2012.

Topical Issue Debate: Election Management System (2 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputy Nash for raising this important issue. The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referenda, including the selection,...

Topical Issue Debate: Election Management System (2 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I agree with Deputy Nash that this is a time national crisis and there are many competent people who are unemployed. I will get a report from returning officers after the referendum to establish if they made the necessary efforts under the departmental guidance and employed as many people as possible who are currently unemployed, particularly as poll clerks. I understand the presiding...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (2 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The compliance rate with the household charge in Cork is not as good as in the local authorities in Deputy Ellis's and Deputy Clare Daly's constituencies. They are having much more success in those local authorities.

Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (2 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The facts speak for themselves. Under the Roads and Road Vehicles (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2007 all remaining matters pertaining to the Roads Act 1993 were transferred to the Minister with responsibility for transport. Consequently, this matter is one which comes within the policy remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety (2 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: Briefly, I indicated to the Deputy that the road authority has the power to require the owner or occupier of the land to remove or trim the ditches on the side of the road as well. Consequently, it is not simply a matter for the local authority. However, the Deputy should use his good offices to make representations to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to support the scheme the...