Results 12,081-12,100 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

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

Phil Hogan: Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, as agreed with the European Commission, stipulates that all projects in excess of €150,000 require prior approval from my Department. Currently 31 such projects, to the value of €9.5m, are at various stages of assessment and, of those, 12 projects to the value of €3,461,179 were received by my Department prior to 20...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Functions (26 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard both to locally identified needs and available resources. It is a requirement for all local authorities to continue to deal in a prudent manner with their finances and to find expenditure savings and efficiencies, particularly in the context of their...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment Issues (26 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together. The Shannon Sewerage Scheme is included as a Scheme at Planning in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. In July 2012 I approved the commitment of the necessary capital funding of just over €1 million to allow Clare County Council complete the tender formalities with the successful...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Stations Provision (26 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 492 together. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of premises and the making of other such provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions...

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

Phil Hogan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of premises and the making of other such provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax is payable in respect of vehicles used in a public place, and is not payable where the vehicle owner does not intend so to use it. It is open to the owner of a vehicle to declare it will be kept off the road, either during the final month of validity of an existing vehicle licence or off-road declaration, or upon payment of outstanding arrears plus a minimum of three months motor...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Vehicles are required to be taxed if they are in use in a public place. Motor tax legislation provides that reference to the use of a vehicle includes keeping or leaving a vehicle stationary. The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 did not change the law in this regard and accordingly, making a declaration of non-use in respect of a vehicle kept in a public place does not affect the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I introduced the in April 2013. These Regulations, which build on the commercial food waste regulations introduced in 2009, are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste, in line with the national policy and the Waste Framework Directive objectives of maximising the resource which can be extracted from waste and minimising the disposal of waste.  They...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dog Breeding Establishments (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in their functional area. However, some data concerning the dog control functions of local authorities are available on my Department’s website at This includes, inter alia, information on the number of dog breeding...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat litter problems. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering is a matter for the relevant local authority. Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act (Prohibition of articles and advertisements on and defacement of certain structures, etc.) applies in regard to the display of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 121 of 14 November 2013, which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Issues (27 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 Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including determination under the Act of relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Programmes (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: There are 50 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted on my Department’s behalf to deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), with 35 of those also delivering the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. These independent companies also deliver a range of other programmes and interventions on behalf of other...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Disposal (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: As set out in the Government ’s policy on waste, A Resource Opportunity, an effective system of household waste collection is critical to the economy and the well-being of society. I will shortly be publishing a consultation document on the regulation of household waste collection to guide the development of a new regulatory regime to strengthen and improve the regulation of household...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Administration (27 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 Minister 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Legal Costs (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The information is being currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authorities Management (27 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Under Section 145 (4) of the Local Government Act 2001 where a position of manager becomes vacant it is necessary to make a temporary appointment until a permanent appointment is made. In relation to Sligo County Council the manager retired in November 2013 and a temporary appointment was made under Section 145 on foot of a recommendation from the outgoing manager. The recruitment of...

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Stations Provision (28 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputy Kyne for raising this matter with me, as he has done several times. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of premises and the making of other such provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is, in the first instance, a statutory function of...

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Stations Provision (28 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Kyne understands well that I have inherited many legacy issues relating to rural areas, one of which happens to be south Connemara fire station. It is remarkable that I have to resolve many of the issues at a time when we have a difficult financial position, when others, who had plenty of money, could not do so. In the first instance, Galway County Council should engage with the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (28 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Under current Local Government Superannuation Scheme rules, most employees appointed prior to 1 April 2004 must retire by the age of 65. There are no plans to extend this retirement age. The minimum retirement age for employees appointed between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 is 65 but they may work beyond that date. Employees appointed since 1 January 2013 are members of the Single...