Results 13,981-14,000 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

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

Phil Hogan: The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority. Dublin City Council's budget is available on its website, . The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2014, published by the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Expenditure (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together. General purpose grants are a contribution from my Department towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. €640,903,434 was paid to local authorities from the Local Government Fund in general purpose grants in 2013. The table below details the general...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Qualifications (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Domestic BER assessor training courses, first introduced in 2007, were provided by training providers registered with a National Awards Body (i.e. Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) or one of the Universities) recognised under the National Framework of Qualifications. Successful...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax on cars registered prior to July 2008 is calculated on the engine capacity of the car. I have no plans to review the basis of charging motor tax for these vehicles to take seating capacity into account. It should be noted that the average increase in motor tax for cars taxed on engine capacity was 7.5% in Budgets 2012 and 2013, considerably less than the increase s applied to...

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

Phil Hogan: My Department through Met Éireann accepts debit or credit card payments from the general public for certain weather forecasting services. While the merchant agreement for these payments was awarded in line with public procurement guidelines, this did not include a formal tendering process because the value of the contract was below the tendering threshold. The agreement is a rolling one...

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

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 151 together. The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 set out the main provisions for dog control, including requirements for all dog owners to accompany and keep effectual control of their dogs, irrespective of breed. The penalty for nonconformance with these requirements is a fine of up to €2,500 or imprisonment for a term of up to three...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Exemptions (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 157 together. Since 2001, national water pricing policy has required local authorities to recover the costs of providing water services from all non-domestic users of these services, including sporting clubs, community halls and schools. This policy provided for charges based on actual metered consumption and is consistent with the requirements of...

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

Phil Hogan: In its role as National Contact Point, my Department has responsibility to promote the LIFE Programme 2014-2020 and to disseminate information as widely as possible. Comprehensive information on the Programme, including contact details for the Irish LIFE National Contact Points, is available on my Department's website at and on the European Commission's website at .

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

Phil Hogan: 'Chemtrails' are not a scientifically recognised phenomena and my Department has not conducted any research on them. With regard to visible condensation trails, or contrails as they are often known, left by jet aircraft, my Department has previously been informed by Met Éireann that these trails are formed through the emission of exhaust gases from jet engines of aircraft in the upper...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (3 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 Government will decide on the proposed approaches to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have no responsibility for, or role in relation to, the management, operation or maintenance of water services infrastructure. From 1 January 2014 Irish Water has responsibility for the delivery of these services and for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016. The further progression of all water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mountain Rescue Service (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have not had discussions with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the funding of mountain rescue teams. It is important that those partaking in activities in upland areas should be a ware of the rugged terrain and possible changes in weather conditions that may pertain in such areas. My Department and Comhairle na Tuaithe fully endorse the principles of Leave No...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Animal Breeding Regulations (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together. I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 148 and 151 of 3 April 2014 which sets out the position in these matters.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Yield (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354, 355 and 392 together. The Government has indicated an intention to move to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the tax is raised. This year t he estab lishment of Irish Water presents local government with significant organisa tional and financial challenges. Service provision responsibilities are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regulatory Bodies (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I can confirm that the Galway Clinic, Doughiska, County Galway has been licensed by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) for diagnostic, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy services involving sources of ionising radiation, and associated radioactive waste management practices, since it opened in 2004. The hospital is subject to regular inspections by the Radiological...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality Issues (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Question Nos. 395 and 360 together. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the operation of water services infrastructure and for the provision of drinking water in accordance with the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No.2) Regulations 2007, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361, 362 and 394 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 132 of 26 March 2014 which addresses comprehensively the use of the statutory certificates in a self-build scenario. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 do not require the use of builders who are registered with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). Owners however have a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Regulations (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Under the Construction Products Regulation, which came into full effect across the EU on 1 July 2013, all construction products covered by a European Harmonised Standard require a Declaration of Performance and be CE marked before such products can be placed on the market. From 1 July 2014 , the requirements of the Construction Products Regulation will apply to steel fabricators covered by...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. My Department does not possess any official vehicles and does not hold information in relation to official vehicles in the possession of agencies under its aegis. Information in relation to any vehicles which were in my Department's possession prior to mid-2011, by virtue of the then Department’s heritage responsibilities, is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (8 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff...