Results 11,601-11,620 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (26 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department is not aware of the details surrounding the deaths of the miners in this particular case. However, in the context of the pyrite problem in Ireland, no evidence has been presented to my Department which would suggest that fumes from pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material have harmful effects on the health of people living in affected dwellings.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (26 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The issue raised in the question is speculative, and it is not appropriate to respond in respect of something which may or may not happen. Operational matters will be determined by the Pyrite Resolution Board in the context of the development and implementation of an efficient and cost effective pyrite remediation scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service Staff (26 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The provision of fire services in a local authority area is a statutory function of the local authority.  Under Section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981, a fire authority is required to make provision for the delivery of fire services in its functional area, including the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Expenditure (26 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: In the context of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), projects that request funding of in excess of €150,000 require final approval from my Department after Local Development Company (LDC) Board approval. The assessment of these higher value projects usually involves detailed consultations between my Department and the relevant LDC. The project referred to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Data (26 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: Information in relation to ministerial appointments and staffing levels in the Department’s Press/Communications Office are not readily available for 1981 and would take an inordinate amount of time to retrieve and compile. Staffing levels for 2011 and currently in 2013 are set out in the following tables. Minister Staffing Pre March 2011 (30th Dáil) Minister Gormley 1...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Priory Hall Development (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply given to Question No. 136 of 25 September 2013, which sets out the position on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Political Reform (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no proposals to introduce 'electoral recall' as part of the Government's programme of political reform.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Yield (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Income from motor tax in 2012 w as €1.01 billion, excluding income from driving licences, Certificates of Vehicle Roadworthiness and other miscellaneous receipts. The average payment in 2012 varied depending on the category of vehicle. The average payment for private vehicles taxed on the basis of CO2 emissions was €263.09, while the average payment for vehicles taxed on the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: In line with the 'bottom-up' approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is Mayo North East...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose taking Questions Nos. 459 and 476 together. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment for the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Water Sector Reform Implementation Strategy , which is published on my Department's website, is focused on ensuring that appropriate policy and legal frameworks are put in place for Irish Water and the water sector. In the context of broader water governance issues, work is currently underway to identify and clarify boundary issues between functions which will transfer to Irish Water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Supply (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose taking Questions Nos. 461 and 462 together. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Official Languages Act 2003 Compliance (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Since the introduction of the Official Languages Act in 2003 my Department has carried out internal audits of the signage on its premises to ensure compliance with the legislation, in particular the requirement that all new signs erected since 1 March 2009 are bilingual. The most recent audit was carried out last month. My Department's offices in the Custom House were audited by the Office of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commencement of Legislation (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is not readily available in my Department and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and effort. I refer to the website of the Irish Statute Book, The "Acts of the Oireachtas" page provides access to each Act. Once a particular Act is selected, details of the commencement status of each section of the Act are accessible by selecting the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Directives (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Within my direct areas of responsibility, there are currently nine infringement cases instituted against Ireland by the European Commission in respect of European Union directives, which represents a significant improvement upon the situation when I assumed office in March 2011. There are currently no outstanding fines resulting from non-compliance. The quantum of fines to be imposed in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Graffiti Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 – 2009, provide significant powers to local authorities to deal with the defacement of structures by writing or other marks. In addition to the legislative provisions for penalties for committing graffiti related offences under section 19 of the Act and in order to provide support to local communities, my Department has provided funding for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has examined the possibility of a levy on packets of chewing gum. However, the examination concluded that such a levy would not directly address the root cause of the associated litter problem, which is the incorrect disposal of chewing gum. Rather than allowing for the punishment of the minority of consumers who do not dispose of their gum properly, the introduction of a levy...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department continues to monitor the situation with regard to the allocation and drawdown of funding under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). I advised all Local Development Companies (LDCs), including Longford Community Resources , of their revised Programme allocations in May 2013 and LDCs were given until 31 August to allocate any remaining...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: In the context of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), projects that request funding of €150,000 or more require final approval from my Department after Local Development Company (LDC) Board approval. The assessment of these higher value projects usually involves detailed consultations between my Department and the relevant LDC. In the context of the project...