Results 13,721-13,740 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together. My Department supports the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society through a number of schemes. The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. Its objective is to tackle poverty and social exclusion...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to change the arrangements currently in place in respect of paying motor tax on half-yearly or quarterly basis rather than annually. The half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge element which covers the administrative costs involved in processing the higher volume of applications. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Reform (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 181 of 13 February 2014 which sets out the position in relation to the possibility of a directly elected mayor in the four Dublin local authorities within the Dublin Metropolitan Area. As outlined at section 11.3 of the Action Plan for Local Government, I have no plans currently to provide for directly elected mayors outside the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Staff (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Staff recruitment to Irish Water is an operational matter for the company and one in which I have no function. 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 has made contact with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax can be paid annually, half-yearly or quarterly. The half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge element which covers the administrative and printing costs involved in processing the higher volume of applications. In addition, reminders are issued on each renewal. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly and quarterly vehicle...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Political Reform (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Since taking office in 2011 the Government has introduced radical and significant reforms to the operation and financing of the political system. The Electoral Act 2011, enacted in July 2011, allowed for a reduction in the number of TDs which will result in the number decreasing from 166 to 158 at the next general election.It provided that the writ for a Dáil bye election must now be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Kinvara Sewerage Scheme was included as a scheme to commence in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010–13. The Scheme was for the provision of a new wastewater treatment plant and the upgrade and extension of the collection network in the town at an estimated overall cost of €4.8 million. My Department approved Galway County Council’s revised...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: 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. With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Government continues to advance a range of measures that support volunteering and active citizenship and my Department funds a network of twenty one Volunteer Centres, including Fingal Volunteer Centre. The centres act as ‘brokers’ between potential volunteers and organisations seeking volunteers. The centres are linked by a common database and a common best practice...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 259, 268, 269 and 285 of 4 March 2014 which deals comprehensively with this matter. There is no question of any prohibition under S.I. No. 9 of 2014 on a person from building their own home.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Scheme Grants (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: 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 previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: In February 2013, with the approval of the Government, I published Outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill for consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and stakeholders. I was pleased to note the extensive public consultation exercise on the Outline Heads undertaken by the Joint Committee, including the request...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Language Issues (5 Mar 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Qualifications (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Building Control Act 2007, among other things, provides at parts 3 and 5 respectively for the registration of persons entitled to use the title of Architect and Building Surveyor. A variety of routes to registration as either Architect or Building Surveyor are provided for, having regard to the academic qualifications, professional attainment and practical experience of prospective...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Details of the individual allocations made to local authorities for adopt a road projects in 2013 are provided in the table below. County Council Euro Cavan County Council €1,750 Cork County Council €6,000 Donegal County Council    €21,000 South Dublin County Council €2,349 Fingal County Council €10,221 Galway City Council...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: While having no operational role in enforcement of the Litter Pollution Acts, my Department provides the policy framework and funding to support the activities of a network of local authority environmental enforcement officers. Each local authority sets out an annual programme of action, detailing the enforcement activities towards which this funding will be utilised. Typically, such...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (5 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. From 1 January 2014 Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014–2016 that will provide for the transition of projects included in the 2010-2013 Water Services Investment Programme. The further progression of all water services...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Administration (6 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The local government funding model is changing considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing this year, 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. Details of the proposed expenditure from the Local Government Fund are set out in the Revised...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (6 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The basis for the levying of motor tax is contained in a number of enactments dating back to the 1920s, and the system of taxation is kept under review and updated on a regular basis. Motor tax classes and rates are provided for in the Schedule to the Finance (Excise Duties)(Vehicles) Act 1952, and changes to the rates of motor tax rates are effected by amendment to the Schedule. Rates for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Priory Hall Development (6 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No 266 of 3 December 2013 which sets out in broad terms the key features of the Priory Hall Resolution Framework, as available in the Oireachtas Library, and the implementation group, chaired by Dr Martin McAleese, which has been established by the Government to oversee the effective implementation of the framework. In line with the terms of the framework...