Results 13,961-13,980 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it.  The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Regulations (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: My Department does not regulate for experimental weather modification and chemical spraying in the skies and is not aware of any such practices having been carried out over the territory of the State.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 372, 373, 375, 382, 385, 387 and 388 together. An extensive public consultation process was undertaken in 2012 to inform the development of the revised building control regulations which came into effect on 1 March 2014. Comprehensive consultation documents were published, including Strengthening the Building Control System - A Document to inform public...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which came into operation on 1 March 2014 greatly 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 certification of design and construction, lodgment of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann to be formed and registered under the Companies Act. A fundamental underpinning of the water reform programme is to ensure that the skills and experience built up over many years in local authorities are put to best use for the long-term benefit of the customer and that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Air Pollution (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Section 24(1) of the Air Pollution Act 1987 requires commercial premises to use the best practicable means to limit and, if possible, to prevent emissions from such premises. Section 24(2) of the Act stipulates that an occupier of any premises must not cause or permit an emission in such a quantity, or in such a manner, as to be a nuisance. As statutory responsibility for the enforcement of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Appointments (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bórd Gáis Éireann to be formed and registered under the Companies Act. A fundamental underpinning of the water reform programme is to ensure that the skills and experience built up over many years in local authorities are put to best use for the long-term benefit of the customer and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development Initiatives (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Section 46 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 replaces section 127 of the 2001 Local Government Act with a new section which enables local authorities to take all appropriate steps to consult with and promote effective participation of local communities in local government. One of the principal implementing provisions will be the adoption by each local authority, in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mountain Rescue Service (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: In 2007 a Funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector was developed. This Scheme amalgamated and replaced previous Schemes operated under the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity. Applications under this new Scheme were invited from community and voluntary organisations that operate at a national level with evidence of a nationwide...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 492 of 21 January 2014. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The new Building Control Amendment Regulations which came into effect on 1 March 2014 are in line with the principles of the relevant recommendations in the report of t he Pyrite Panel. The Panel recommended the development of a mandatory certification system which would recognise the importance of inspections, product certifications and site supervision taking proper account of the risk...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Asbestos Remediation Programme (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The primary responsibility for the management of any waste, including costs for removal or disposal, lies with the holder of the waste, i.e. the natural or legal person in possession of the waste, or the producer of the waste. The Waste Management Act 1996 imposes a general duty of care on holders of waste, under which a person may not hold, transport, recover or dispose of waste in a manner...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Numbers (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium on recruitment in local government. Any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department. My Department examines all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Asbestos Remediation Programme (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: There is no funding available from my Department or local authorities for the removal of asbestos in buildings. The prevention of exposure to the harmful effects of asbestos is the focus of occupational safety and health legislation concerning asbestos in the workplace. Specific worker protection Regulations regarding the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Exemptions (2 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. T he Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (2 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: 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. The Water Services Act 2013 provide for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Remuneration (2 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: No staff member in my Department ha s received performance related bonuses in the years 2010 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Administration (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Under the balances on dormant accounts with banks, building societies and An Post and the net encashment value of certain life assurance policies are paid into the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is managed by the . The primary purpose of the legislation is to re-unite the original account holders with their moneys, including all interest due. In addition, the legislation also provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 266 of 4 March 2014 which sets out the position in this matter. Irish Water has 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 Oireachtas members to outline the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Under section 54 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may add to its record of protected structures a structure, a specified part of a structure or a specified feature of the attendant grounds of a structure, where the authority considers that the addition is necessary or desirable in order to protect a structure, or part of a structure, of special architectural,...