Results 11,941-11,960 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Noise Pollution Legislation (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Environmental Noise Directive (END) 2002/49/EC sets out certain requirements for the assessment and management of environmental noise, in particular from road and rail infrastructure as well as major airports. The END aims to define a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I convey apologies on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, who is unable to take this Adjournment matter. I thank Senator John Whelan for raising the issue. Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I appreciate the Senator's genuine concern for the people of Abbeyleix and Shaen. He has articulated the community concerns, of which I am aware, living in north Kilkenny and a near neighbour of those areas. I assure the Senator that I will convey directly to the Minister for Health tomorrow the strong feelings he has expressed on behalf of the community.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Assets (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter and I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide some policy context and detail in relation to the legislative provisions proposed regarding matters such as these. The issue of local government reform at sub-county level was raised on the Adjournment in the House last month, and while I do not propose to revisit the contributions of Senator...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Assets (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I appreciate Senator Byrne's bona fides on this matter. It is quite unusual for him to come forward with a very constructive approach, certainly when I come to the House. I appreciate that he is seeking a solution to this matter. I will undertake to examine it legally and see what we can do to allay the concerns. There will be 40 councillors and I am sure Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Issues (7 Nov 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 applied...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Numbers (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The data gathered do not provide detail in respect of individual grades or job titles within each local authority, and accordingly, the information requested is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authorities Management (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 681 and 706 of 5 November 2013, which sets out the position. I am not aware of any legal advice to the current or previous mayor of Sligo Borough Council. I do not intend to introduce legislation as suggested.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, which was published in October 2012, sets out Government policy in terms of a comprehensive range of reforms in relation to local government structures, functions, funding, governance and operational matters. A key objective of the local government reform programme is to address weaknesses in the existing system,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Yield (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The local government funding model will change considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014, the for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year; this revenue will be allocated to local authorities from the Fund. In addition, the establishment of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The statutory minimum energy performance standards (including insulation requirements) for dwellings are addressed under Part L of the building Regulations and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document (TGD L Dwellings). These regulatory requirements have been reviewed and upgraded intensively in recent times. Amendments to t he regulatory requirements generally apply to new dwellings...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Application (7 Nov 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. With regard to the application of rates to childcare facilities, where childcare provision is within a community facility, operating in a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme is included as a Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Contract at Granlahan to start in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 . Under the Annual Review of the Programme, carried out in 2011, my Department approved the inclusion in the programme of an Advance Networks Upgrade Contract – the Castlerea...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, Roscommon Central and South Roscommon Regional Water Supply Schemes are included as Water Treatment Plant Upgrade contracts to start and a Network Contract at construction in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. My Department’s letter, approving the commitment of the necessary capital funding of just over...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together. Cavan/Monaghan LEADER is contracted on behalf of my Department in relation to the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. In regard to LEADER, during 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% for the LEADER elements of Ireland’s Rural Development...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Administration (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Local Property Tax and its administration are matters for my colleague, the nister for Finance.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government sets out Government policy in relation to a range of local government reform measures, including the establishment of a new comprehensive model of municipal governance to strengthen local government within counties and address weaknesses and anomalies in the current system.  The Local Government Bill 2013 ,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. The Local Government Bill 2013 provides that mayoral titles may be used, as an alternative to the title Cathaoirleach, in certain instances, including in respect of Limerick City and County, Waterford City and County, and certain municipal districts. I am satisfied that the provisions of the Bill in this regard reflect appropriately the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Exchequer proposes a direct equity investment of €240m towards the capital funding of Irish Water in 2014. This will support projects to be included in Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan and will ensure that the entity is in a position to take on the water services investment programmes of the 34 water services authorities, including some 80 projects currently in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (12 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: There are 35 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development the LDCs are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in...