Results 9,821-9,840 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (24 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together. In September 2011, I set up an independent Pyrite Panel to explore options for a resolution to the pyrite problem in private housing. Following detailed research and consultation, the Panel submitted its report to me at the end of June 2012 which I subsequently published in July 2012. The report, which contains twenty four inter-related...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (24 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 to 154, inclusive, together. Planning for the Greater Dublin Regional Drainage Project – North Dublin Treatment Plant and Orbital Sewer is being progressed by Fingal County Council. Under the Alternative Sites Assessment and Route Selection Report (Phase 2) for the scheme, three possible treatment sites and two possible outfall locations have...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Meetings (24 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: No representatives of the tobacco industry have been met by myself, my colleagues , Minister of State, Jan O’Sullivan, T.D and Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd, T.D., or officials in my Department in the last six months.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. Last month I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75%...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dumping at Sea (24 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The OSPAR Convention recognises the jurisdictional rights of States over the seas and the freedom of the High Seas, and, within this framework, works to prevent and eliminate marine pollution and to achieve sustainable management of the maritime area. Overall, the work of the OSPAR Commission is guided by the ecosystem approach to an integrated management of human activities in the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Exemptions (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 503, 505 and 506 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 was 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: To qualify for the vintage rate a vehicle must be constructed more than 30 years prior to the commencement of the period in relation to which the licence is sought. I have no plans to change this. A concessionary rate of motor tax was introduced on 1 July 1991 for vintage vehicles. The rates of motor tax were initially set at £10 (€13) for motorcycles and £25 (€32)...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Protection Agency (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established by the Government in 1993 following the enactment of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. The EPA was established as a non-commercial and independent state-sponsored body. A recent independent review of the EPA, available on my Department’s website, www.environ.ie , concluded that the EPA has the independence to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Gaeltacht area of North Mayo where the projects referred to in the question are situated was formerly serviced by Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) for the purposes of funding under Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP). MFG went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. Following a complex and difficult legal winding up process most Gaeltacht areas are now...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Elections (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 311 to 313, inclusive, on 11 December 2012 , which indicated that the terms of reference for the independent Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee specify, inter alia, a maximum total of 40 members of every council other than Dublin City Council and Cork County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Seniors Alert Scheme supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards monitored personal alarms. Applications are made through the applicant’s local community or voluntary group. An application has not been received in my Department, to date, on behalf of the person referred to in the question.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU-IMF Programme of Support (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland includes measures relating to extensive reform in the water services sector, replacement of rent supplement with a Housing Assistance Payment and management of local government finances. My Department maintains contact with the relevant EU authorities and the IMF as appropriate in the development and implementation of these measures.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The full proceeds of motor tax are paid into the Local Government Fund. The gross motor tax receipts paid into the Fund in 2012 were €1,049,938,718. This may not represent the final net figure, as reconciliation processes are ongoing. I have no function in relation to the funding of local road maintenance. I have been advised by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 to 521, inclusive, 523, 524, and 539 to 541, inclusive, together. I have recently received Government approval for the imposition of a levy on both the quarrying and insurance sectors, as recommended by the independent Pyrite Panel, in order to provide the funding necessary for the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings where no other forms of redress...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Fund (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 530 together. I assume that the Questions refer to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department’s contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. These grants continue to make a significant contribution to the revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (29 Jan 2013)

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 was 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: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 532, 533 and 545 together. In 2012, my Department undertook public consultation on performance standards for domestic waste water treatment systems, including the requirements for operation, maintenance and desludging. Draft standards were published on 1 March 2012 together with an invitation for interested parties to make submissions as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has issued advice to the relevant Local Development Companies contracted to deliver Axes 3&4 in Gaeltacht areas on how to progress MFG legacy projects where issues have arisen in relation to missing or inadequate documentation. This will assist the Groups in their decision making process and facilitate the submission of claims for payment where appropriate. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Service Reform Plan Update (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012, provides the legal framework for further implementation of the Department’s Agency rationalisation programme. In relation to the specific actions outlined in Appendix IIa of the Public Service Reform Plan the following is the up to date position: The Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I assume that the Question refers to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department’s contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. Some €640m in general purpose grants has been allocated to local authorities for 2013. In general, payment of the...