Results 9,481-9,500 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the replies to Question numbers 1131 of 18 September 2012, 184 of 18 October 2012, 459 of 13 November 2012 and 161 and 162 of 21 November 2012 in which I stated that I had considered the report of the independent financial consultant engaged by Sligo County Council to review its financial position. Arising from that consideration, I conveyed sanction to the Council on 8 November...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The local government sector has been at the forefront in driving greater efficiencies and securing financial savings during the financial crisis. In this regard, payroll savings have been delivered mainly through staff reductions of almost 8,600 (23%) from 37,243 (June 2008) to 28,652 (September 2012). The departure of 8,600 staff from the sector since 2008 has inevitably impacted in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (4 Dec 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 is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. It is a matter for an owner of a residential property to determine liability and pay the Charge. The Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 378, 403 and 423 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 domestic water metering programme. The Government has recently approved the preparation of legislation to assign the necessary powers...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Commission (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes a range of political reform measures a number of which are in my area of responsibility as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Many of the measures have already been implemented through legislation enacted in 2011 to provide for a reduction in the number of TDs, reduced spending limits at Presidential elections and time limits...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Saturday Voting (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Arrangements for the holding of referendums are set out in the Referendum Acts 1994–2001. Under Section 10 of the Referendum Act 1994 I am required to appoint the day upon which the poll at the referendum shall take place. The Act allows for the taking of the poll on any day of the week and this flexibility allows all relevant factors to be taken into account at any given time in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: 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, appointment and training of polling station and count staff...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Arts Council Funding (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I assume that the Question refers to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants contribute towards meeting the reasonable cost to local authorities of providing services to their customers. In line with previous years, it is my intention to inform local authorities of their 2013 general purpose grant allocations following the announcement of Budget 2013....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government’s new waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, was published in July 2012. Among the measures included in the policy is the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to report to Government with options to minimise the impact of waste charges on low income households. The working group, which comprises representatives of my...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: International Agreements (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Prior to ratification of the Aarhus Convention it was necessary to ensure that Ireland had fully implemented its provisions in national law. Following confirmation from the Attorney General that all provisions were in place - over 60 pieces of legislation have been used to implement the Convention, including a number of amendments to the Planning and Development Acts - Ireland ratified the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: There are no veterinary inspectors working in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Cross-Border Co-operation (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: There is ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland including discussions on matters of common interest and implementation of specific projects and programmes. Much of this activity is brought forward under the aegis of the North South ministerial Council. Current and recent activity includes: - Co-operation on an all-island Bulky Waste...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service (4 Dec 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. My Department supports...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 provides for the introduction of a registration and inspection system for domestic wastewater treatment systems. The Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012 set out the performance standards that treatment systems must comply with. The basic standard to be met by all domestic wastewater treatment...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Scenic Walks (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The looped walk under development at Bolus Head has a road link with the Kerry Way from Allagheemore to Cloghanecanuig, which includes a short section of the R566. This link provides for the Bolus Head looped walk to join up with the Kerry Way. It is not intended to develop an off road extension or further link to the Kerry Way.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 to 396, inclusive, together. My Department does not compile the information requested relating to public sewer networks. The EPA, however, reports on the quality of effluents discharged from treatment plants, sewers or drainage pipes that are controlled or used by local authorities. The EPA latest report Focus on Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Agencies (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Review Implementation Plan was published on 31 January 2012 and is available on my Department's website . Implementation of the recommendations is underway. The plan contains a list of actions arising from the review, some of which are a matter for my Department and others which are the responsibility of the EPA and others. I prioritised a large...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together. The operational implications of the transfer of waste collection services by City and County Councils to private operators are matters in the first instance for the local authorities concerned.  My Department’s role is to provide a comprehensive legislative and waste policy framework through which the enforcement...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (4 Dec 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 — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (4 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation is being progressed having regard to the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide a clear pathway for emissions reductions, and to Ireland's challenging greenhouse gas mitigation targets which are binding under European Union law. A copy of the policy development programme is available on my...