Results 9,641-9,660 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department sanctions funding under a variety of capital programmes in the housing, water services, environmental, fire services, libraries and other areas; the relevant projects are implemented primarily by local authorities who act as contracting authorities in most instances. It is the responsibility of the relevant contracting authority to ensure that procurement guidelines are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: RAPID Programme (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: A reduction of €2 million in administration costs in RAPID current funding for 2013 is one of a number of measures which will be necessary to adhere to my Department’s current expenditure ceiling for the coming year. I will, however, be providing for capital expenditure of €2 million for RAPID projects in 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: European Council Meetings (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: In my capacity as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I sit on the European Council of Environment Ministers. In the period from 9 March 2011 to date in 2012 , the European Council of Environment Ministers met formally on eight occasions and informally on four other occasions. I attended all of these meetings. The dates of these meetings and a record of Ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Athenry Sewerage Scheme - Network and Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Contracts - are included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as two contracts to start during the lifetime of the Programme, at an estimated cost of over €11.6 million. My Department approved Galway County Council’s Design Review Report for the scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (18 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: Motor Taxation (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans currently to introduce a monthly payment option for motor tax. The current half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge to cover the higher administrative costs involved in processing such applications. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-year and quarterly vehicle licences is in the region of €20m. Were a monthly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together. The amount of money spent to date on the Seniors Alert Scheme since 2004 is just over €23.5 million. Funding of €1.15 million is being allocated for the scheme in 2013. My Department is making some changes to the scheme to ensure that it remains targeted at the most vulnerable.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have received a copy of the audit report on the accounts of Sligo County Council for the year ended 31 December 2011. My Department has written to the County Manager in relation to the audit report and a reply is awaited. Under the Local Government Act 2001, it is a matter for each local authority to prepare and adopt a balanced annual budget for the coming year.Local authorities are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Following Government approval, I published the action programme for effective local government, Putting People First, which, inter alia, addresses the alignment of local and community development with local government. This involves an enhanced role for local government in local and community development and seeks to create greater efficiencies in structural arrangements and service delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Management and enforcement responses to litter problems, including defacement by graffiti, are a primary responsibility of each local authority to be met from their existing resources. I am well aware of the major blight on communities caused by graffiti. To this end, and in order to support efforts to tackle graffiti , m y Department provides funding to local authorities under the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Exemptions (19 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Section 4 sets out the exemptions and waivers from the charge including where personal representatives for a deceased person are relevant. There are currently no plans to amend the legislation in this respect . The Household Charge was brought forward as an interim measure pending...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development (19 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together. It is my intention that the expertise and experience of local development companies will be retained in the new structures outlined in The Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First. In their report , the Alignment Steering Group recognised the key strengths of local development companies, in areas such as...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (19 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Implementation and enforcement of the building control system is a matter for the relevant building control authority. Under section 18 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 it is the duty of every person having control over premises, such as...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to take further steps to address noise pollution, inter alia, through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on-the-spot fines) and provision for mediation procedures between neighbours. The development of new noise legislation by my Department will be considered in the context of this commitment; however, as indicated in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Taxation (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The data requested are set out in the following tables in respect of 2011 and the period to the end of October 2012. A breakdown of the receipts by band for 2009 and 2010 is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. Private vehicles taxed on engine capacity – 2011 Engine cc Licensing Period Total Annual Half-yearly Quarterly ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Taxation (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Increases in motor tax rates were announced in the Budget on 5 December 2012 and approved by Financial Resolution of the Dáil.  As with previous rate increases, the new motor tax rates came into force from the following day for vehicle licences with a commencement date of the following month i.e. January 2013 in the case of this Budget.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Substantial funding towards local authorities’ water conservation programmes is being provided under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Water mains rehabilitation is a key priority under the Programme which includes the Kerry Watermains Rehabilitation Project valued at €18.79 million. My Department has to date in 2012 provided...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Air Pollution (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Under the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive 2001/81/EC, Ireland was required to reduce emissions of transboundary air pollutants below agreed national ceilings by 2010. The four air pollutants concerned (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and volatile organic compounds) contribute to acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone. Revised emission ceilings for 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Ombudsman’s findings in relation to this matter are currently under consideration in my Department. At present , LEADER activities are co-financed by the European Union at a rate of 85% and, accordingly, come within the remit of a strict regulatory regime which requires that each project must be compliant before any funding is awarded. My Department is now considering ways of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Section 19 (7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as initially enacted, provided that election and referendum posters had to be removed within 7 days following the relevant polling date. Through the Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Act 2009, following the consultation process , this provision was amended also to provide for a time limit prior to the polling date, during which election and...