Results 1,061-1,080 of 20,054 for speaker:Brian Stanley

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

Brian Stanley: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of implementing the merger of Waterford city and county councils. [47709/12]

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

Brian Stanley: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a timescale for the proposal to merge Waterford city and count councils. [47710/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Establishment of Uisce Éireann: Discussion with Bord Gáis Networks (6 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: I thank Bord Gáis Éireann for the presentation. We received more information but some questions arise. It was said that according to estimates the cost of metering would be €450 million and that slightly more than 1 million households require to be metered. A total of 480,000 houses have septic tanks, many of which have a mains water supply. The water is supplied by the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Establishment of Uisce Éireann: Discussion with Bord Gáis Networks (6 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: Mr. Mullins might wait until 1 July.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Establishment of Uisce Éireann: Discussion with Bord Gáis Networks (6 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: Perhaps Mr. Mullins might clarify the issue for me. Currently, there is a capacity issue. We all accept that. Are we 20%, 30% or 40% short? I am concerned that we could be 30% short, in addition to leakages of 41%. Some county councils have introduced what is generally known as district metering. Different terms are used in different localities. It shows that most of the leaks are in...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Veterans Associations (7 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: To ask the Minister for Defence the supports the State will provide to the needs of ex- Defence Forces members in difficulties and to organisations such as the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48465/12]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Service Contracts (7 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if it is possible for local authorities to include local employment clauses in public contracts before they are put out to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48983/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the presentations and documentation forwarded to us by the groups. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul made a detailed submission. Does Mr. McCafferty consider that under the current taxation model the number of people outside the tax net his organisation is assisting is increasing? If we are trying to stabilise people's income and improve their lot and the lot of those with no...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: It refers to taxation. If the Chairman wants to rule the question out of order, he can.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: The Chairman asked questions ranging over a number of areas and I should be allowed the same latitude. Would the organisation have concerns if the property tax was a flat tax about ability to pay? For example, somebody living in a valuable house close to this building may have a low income. I welcome the IMO's presentation. Some of the organisation's members are charging people in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: I thank the representatives of the three organisations - Respond, Threshold and Focus Ireland - for their presentations. One can see that, unfortunately, this matter is not getting the attention it should. Let us hope that the media which trumpets much that is not that relevant will trumpet a matter like this. When one walks out through the gates of Leinster House at night, within half a...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Creation (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the opportunity to address this matter with the Minister. I raise it because of the low number of visits to Laoighis-Offaly by companies invited here by IDA Ireland. The figures are actually unbelievable and astounding. I have raised this locally and regionally with IDA Ireland. I welcome the fact that the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, is present. He will recall my raising...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Creation (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: The local authorities in both counties are making substantial efforts in providing enterprise centres and other incentives to attract people to locate in the area. Where is the accountability of IDA Ireland in this matter? The taxpayers in Laoighiss-Offaly want to know who is responsible. I have heard all the flaky answers from IDA Ireland and others. The Minister is relatively new in...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Creation (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome that manufacturing is getting priority, and the Minister mentioned in particular the research and development credit scheme. Regarding the pools of qualified talent, there would not be a shortage of those in the midlands. It is easy to get to an area from a commuter point of view because of improved motorway and rail links, which was one of...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The State is in a difficult position financially, as are many households. I am thankful that there are institutions such as the credit union movement that are unique to Ireland and of which we can be proud. An interesting aspect of the movement - along with the GAA, another great organisation rooted in the community - is that it covers the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Benefit Rates (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the call by Barnardos for pre-budget audits that examine the impact of proposals holistically and across Departments to ensure that they do not continue to erode family incomes to be conducted in advance of the finalisation of budget decision; and if she will engage with others in the conduct of same. [49857/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by the National Advocacy Service that community welfare officers are not willing to pay rent supplement to persons with disabilities who are leaving residential care; her views on whether this is making independent living impossible for some; and her response to same. [49856/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: I thank the Ministers for their presentations. My point is about the property tax. In some ways our discussion is surreal. We are discussing the framing of the budget for 2013 but we have no figure for the first half of the year. We can only assume that the tax will continue to be €100 per house for eligible households. A collection rate of 100% will garner €80 million as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Brian Stanley: Yes. If we had the figure for the second half of the year that would be useful. It would seem that the tax will continue at €100 per household up to 1 July. The Minister said in his opening statement that savings are being realised on current expenditure by replacing the Exchequer contributions to the local government fund with revenue from the household charge. He stated there...