Results 13,601-13,620 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Administration (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The local government funding model has changed considerably in 2014. For example, the establishment of Irish Water and its financial relationship with the local government sector will have a considerable impact on the arrangements for local authority financing. In addition, under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, the Minister for Finance, from 2014 onwards, is to pay into the Local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: In December 2013 I announced an additional €4 million under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). Funding of €1 million was targeted at the Gaeltacht areas which suffered a loss of funding when Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta went into liquidation in 2011 and €3 million to the areas which experienced a reduction of greater than 15% in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I assume the question refers to pilot group sewerage schemes. Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012, I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions No. 141, 142, 143 and 150 of 22 January 2014 which sets out the process under which national greenhouse gas mitigation policy and climate change adaptation policy are being progressed. I also refer to the outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill which I issued in February 2013. The National Climate Change Adaptation Framework,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The new Building Control Amendment Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 529 and 530 together. New Building Control (Amendment) Regulations will, from 1 March 2014, strengthen the arrangements in place for the control of building activity, by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certificates of design and construction, lodgement of compliance...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Collection (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The local government funding model has changed considerably in 2014 and, in particular, the establishment of Irish Water and its financial relationship with the local government sector has a considerable impact on the arrangements for local authority financing. The funding to be provided to local authorities for the provision of water services in 2014 is governed by Service Level Agreements...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Grants (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: During 2013, my Department, as well as the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Education and Skills provided funding for disbursement to beneficiary projects under the Dormant Accounts Fund. The breakdown of disbursements to the projects by Pobal on behalf of my Department during the year is listed in the following table. The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The new Building Control Amendment Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Introduction (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce 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. The Water Services Act (No. 2) 2013 provides for the transfer of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Supply (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have no responsibility for, or role in relation to, the management, operation or maintenance of water services infrastructure. My Department has asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water will...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax legislation provides that, when taking out a tax disc, a vehicle owner is liable for arrears in respect of each month from the date of last taxing or from the date of purchase of the vehicle. There is no provision whereby motorists can come to individual payment arrangements with a licensing authority. Any such change to the basis of payment for motor tax would be required to be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Following consideration of a report from me on the severe weather that affected Ireland in the period from mid-December 2013 to early January 2014, the Government decided on 11 February that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. This will enable local authorities in the areas worst affected by severe weather to help affected...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Remuneration (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Progression on incremental salary scales in my Department is managed in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars on the matter. The majority of increments are awarded on the basis of a single point per annum, subject to relevant performance criteria being met. Over the course of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA), incremental progression has been further...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: State Bodies Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is not available in my Department.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters.: Home-makers Scheme (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank Senator Moloney for raising this matter. As she is aware, the homemaker's scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualifying for a State contributory pension easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. To be eligible for the homemaker's scheme, a person must permanently live in the State, be aged under 66, have started insurable employment or self-employment...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters.: Departmental Agencies Funding (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I am pleased to have an opportunity to address the Seanad on the funding scheme to support national organisations. The current funding scheme was due to finish at the end of last year. In view of the importance which the Government and I attach to volunteering and the role of volunteerism in promoting societal well being, I am pleased that even in the context of the difficulties in the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters.: Departmental Agencies Funding (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Senator knows I applied a cap in 2013 whereby nobody got more than €90,000. I am anxious that the organisations that benefit from this scheme are treated fairly and meet the criteria. The schemes and organisations that should be funded by other Departments or agencies should be looked at and I am prepared to do that.

Recent Flooding: Statements (Resumed) (19 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank Members for their contributions to the debate on the series of storms that have hit the country since mid-December and their impact on people, infrastructure and property. I join Members of the House in sympathising with the colleagues, friends, relatives and loved ones of Michael O'Riordan, who was tragically killed on Saturday last while working to restore services in west Cork. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Funding (19 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: My Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have had initial discussions with the European Commission on possible EU funding under the Solidarity and Regional Support schemes. The purpose of the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) is to allow Member States to request financial aid in the event of major natural disasters. There is a damage threshold per Member State which is set at...