Results 9,201-9,220 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: European Court of Justice Rulings (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held oral hearings on 4 October in respect of two cases, C-279/11 (original case reference C-66/06) and C-374/11 (original case reference C-188/08), to consider whether fines should be imposed on Ireland for delays in implementing the Court rulings in these cases. However, no decision has yet been made by the Court as to whether fines will be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health, in the first instance. The key objectives of my Department’s Community Division are to facilitate integrated development at local level and foster vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities; and to support the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. My...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Retired staff are engaged from time to time by my Department in areas where specific expertise is required for a short fixed period, and relevant former staff provide a level of knowledge, experience and background compatible with such requirements. The abatement principle, which ensures that the fee paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 719 together. 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 Expert Group's terms of reference were to consider the design of a Local Property Tax to be approved by Government, which is equitable and is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Valua t ion Office comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and R Reform. I have no direct role in matters relating to valuation.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 666, 674, 696 and 710 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. Residential property is defined in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 667 and 669 together. The facility in question operates under an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licence granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to IPPC licences are a matter for the EPA and I am precluded from exercising any power in relation to the performance by the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Substantial funding towards local authorities’ water conservation programmes is being provided under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Watermains rehabilitation is a key priority under the Programme which includes the Kerry Watermains Rehabilitation Project valued at €18.79 million. As part of this project, I recently approved funding...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 have funding of €314m for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department is at an advanced stage in developing a National Climate Change Adaptation Framework, which will set out a process by which we can help to reduce Ireland’s vulnerability and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. I expect the Framework, which will be designed to evolve over time as further evidence and policy options become available, to be finalised by year-end.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Register of Electors (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Section 13A(3) of the Electoral Act 1992, as inserted by section 4 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, makes it an offence to use the register of electors for a purpose other than an electoral or other statutory purpose. It would be a matter for any Department to ensure that adequate provision in law has been made for use of the electoral register by that Department or by its agencies. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Illegal Dumping (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 673, 704 and 706 together. Illegal dumping and the operational implications of the transfer of waste collection services in the area covered by Dublin City Council are matters in the first instance for the City Council. My Department’s role is to provide a comprehensive legislative and waste policy framework through which the enforcement authorities,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 to 681, inclusive, together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 51 and 428 of 23 October 2012. The Report of the Waterford Local Government Committee estimated savings, primarily payroll related, associated with the merger of Waterford City and County Councils at €3.87m. In addition, the Committee has indicated that further savings in the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 703 together. The Government has decided that Irish Water, a new State-owned water company to be established as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group, will be responsible for the metering programme.  In addition, the Government has recently approved the preparation of legislation to assign the necessary powers...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Audited financial information on the local government sector is available in the 2010 consolidated Annual Financial Statement available on my Department's website at Each local authority is also required to prepare and publish a financial statement in respect of each financial year. Detailed financial arrangements for the local authority mergers in Limerick,Tipperary and Waterford are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government’s approach to the reform of local government, as set out in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government provides, inter alia, for the introduction of Socio-Economic Committees (SECs) within each city/county local authority area. These SECs will assume many of the local and community development responsibilities of City/County Development Boards...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together. 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 referendums, including the selection,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Ballybofey/Stranorlar Sewerage Scheme upgrade is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, as a scheme to start construction during the lifetime of the Programme. My Department is awaiting the submission by Donegal County Council of its Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Rural Development Programme (RDP) is governed by EU regulations and is subject to the rigorous audit and verification requirements. My Department is charged with ensuring that there is no misappropriation of funds and that all expenditure under the RDP is in line with the regulations as set out by the European Commission. In this regard a robust system is in place to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The correspondence in question relates to proposals to amend the Building Control Regulations which were the subject of an extensive public consultation process earlier this year and which are currently being finalised for signature into law. A detailed reply to the representations will issue shortly.