Results 1,021-1,040 of 11,433 for speaker:Michael Kitt

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: Over the period 1999 to 2007, my Department has provided over €12 million in grant aid towards various ICT projects in the public library service. The funding enabled the provision of public access Internet PCs, the automation of library systems and the development of a significant number of other grant aided ICT services/projects, including the Ask About Ireland and Borrow Books websites....

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: Block grant allocations totalling €101.85 million have been notified to local authorities in respect of group water scheme measures from the €135 million provided for the 2008 Rural Water Programme. This is generally in line with profiled expenditure for the overall €750 million provision for the Programme in the National Development Plan 2007-2013. Details of the individual block...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Kitt: It is the Beamish way.

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (24 Sep 2008)

Michael Kitt: The provision of a fire service, including the provision of fire fighting and emergency equipment, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. The Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (25 Sep 2008)

Michael Kitt: My Department has been engaged in consultations with the library authority and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna regarding library development in Kildare Town for some time. While the issues surrounding this proposal are complex, my Department is currently in further contact with the local authority in an effort to finalise the matter and I hope to be in a position to make a decision in the near...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (30 Sep 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People is available to assist older people, generally over 60 years, to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their homes. Where a suite of works is being grant aided under this scheme, local authorities may also, as part of the package of works, assist with the provision of radon remediation works, where applicable. There is no other...

Tenant Purchase Schemes. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the steps being taken towards extending the opportunity for home ownership to tenants of local authority apartments. The Government announced its intention to introduce a scheme for the sale of local...

Planning Issues. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputy Upton for raising this issue. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. Under planning legislation, any development which requires permission and does not have that permission is an unauthorised development, as is a development which is proceeding in breach of conditions laid down in the planning...

Water Supply Contamination. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputies O'Dowd and Tuffy for raising this Adjournment matter. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. I understand five water supplies in County Louth have been identified by the EPA as having elevated lead levels in the water distribution system and that the agency notified Louth County Council of...

Schools Building Projects. (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputy Bannon for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the current position concerning Loughegar national school, County Westmeath. I am doing so on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. Loughegar is a co-educational primary school catering for boys and girls from junior infants to sixth class. The enrolment, as of 30...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (2 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: A copy of the report Radiation Doses Received by the Irish Population was provided to me by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) at the time of its launch in July 2008 and I have noted its contents. The report summarises the most comprehensive study of its kind undertaken in Ireland, bringing together data on exposure of the Irish population to all sources of radiation,...

Health Service Staff. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am taking the adjournment on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The performance-related awards scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the review body is to advise the...

State Airports. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputies Coveney and Clune for raising this issue. The State Airports Act 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. As part of the airport restructuring process, the boards of Cork and Shannon Airports are required to prepare business plans for eventual separation. All three airport business plans have to be co-ordinated by the...

EU Directives. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. I am taking the debate on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who asked me to confirm that he is fully aware of the concerns of Deputies and of traditional turf cutters who have relied on turf for domestic fuel. He also recognises the concern about the costs of alternative fuel. It is important to be clear...

Schools Building Projects. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputy Shatter for raising this matter. I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. This is an opportunity for me to outline to the Dáil the Department's capital programme of works for 2008 and the current position with regard to Holy Trinity national school, Glencairn, Leopardstown, Dublin 18. All applications for capital funding are assessed in the...

Schools Building Projects. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I will check on that for the Deputy. The school has a current staff of one principal, two mainstream assistants, one developing post, one permanent resource teacher, one permanent learning support teacher and one temporary language support teacher. In January 2005, the school authority submitted an application to the Department for large-scale capital funding for an extension project. An...

Schools Building Projects. (7 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The Deputy made a strong case and I will pass it on to the Minister, who was not available to attend the House this evening.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I thank Deputies on all sides for their contributions. Comments focussed on the Bill and on the electoral agenda generally. It is not possible to comment on all points but I will respond to some of the issues raised. We can examine matters relating to the Bill in greater detail on Committee Stage. I welcome the comments of Deputies Terence Flanagan, Ciarán Lynch and Cuffe, who...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee (8 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 Oct 2008)

Michael Kitt: The question of extension of the areas subject to smokeless fuels is kept under review in consultation with local authorities and having regard to the need to ensure good air quality. Monitoring at permanent and mobile monitoring stations by the EPA and local authorities confirms that air quality in Ireland is good and does not, at this time, provide any data in support of any such...