Results 1,661-1,680 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: In May 2005, I announced proposals for a pilot project for the provision of a number of skateboard facilities. My Department wrote to all city and county councils at that time enclosing details of the initiative, including the selection criteria, and invited councils to submit an application to participate in the pilot project. All applications received are currently being examined in my...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1402 and 1408 together. The initial allocation to each county council under the local improvements scheme, or LIS, in each of the years 2001 to 2005 is set out in the following table. Information regarding waiting lists in individual counties is not available in my Department. Information on the operation of the LIS in each county council area is sought from...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume that the parliamentary question refers to the decision of the European Commission on 31 August 2005 to authorise genetically modified oilseed rape GT73. Member states discharged their involvement in this matter at the Environment Council of 20 December 2004 where there was, under the qualified majority voting procedures, insufficient agreement to either accept or reject the proposal....

Written Answers — Environmental Policy. : Environmental Policy. (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Thermal performance and insulation standards for new dwellings under Part L of the building regulations have been progressively increased since their introduction in 1992 and are due for further upward adjustment by 2008. The national climate change strategy, or NCCS, proposed that Part L standards be significantly increased in two phases, in mid-2002 and 2005. The NCCS stated that the...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers, that is manufacturers and importers, of farm plastics such as silage bale wrap and sheeting are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have placed on the market or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. The Irish farm film...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The boundaries of this candidate special area of conservation were re-examined by my Department, for two reasons. The first reason was a revised national approach to the designation of marginal areas along rivers, introduced in August 2004, following an agreement with the farm organisations under Sustaining Progress. A nationwide survey to revise SAC boundaries along rivers was undertaken....

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Planning permission is required for the construction by any electricity operator of overhead transmission or distribution lines for conducting electricity at a voltage higher than 20kV. Issues such as impact on surrounding development or on the landscape would be considered when applications for permission for such lines are made. The laying underground of such lines or the connection of any...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The Rochfortbridge sewerage scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006 under the serviced land initiative, at an estimated cost of €4.28 million. Westmeath County Council's original contract documents for the scheme were approved by my Department in June 2004. Revisions to the contract documents submitted by the council in...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The Milltownpass sewerage scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006 under the rural towns and villages initiative at an estimated cost of €4.28 million. My Department approved Westmeath County Council's proposal to appoint a client's representative to prepare contract documents for the scheme in June 2005. The contract...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department provides compensation, by way of purchase at standard rates, for persons who are owners of land or turbary rights in bogs that have been proposed for designation as special areas of conservation or natural heritage areas, and where it is necessary for conservation reasons to phase out cutting of turf for domestic purposes. The scheme is applicable primarily to any person who...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the local improvements scheme, or LIS, and my Department's local improvements scheme memorandum, which issued in February 2002, sets out the current terms and conditions for the payment of LIS grants. Under the scheme, grants are provided to county councils for the construction and improvement of non-public roads...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Prior to 2000 and the commencement of the current national development plan three phases of works were carried out at Castletown as follows: restoration of the fabric of the main block and the replacement of the entire roof, including the rebuilding of the chimney and parapet, completed in 1995; mechanical, electrical, fire prevention and security works including certain structural repairs,...

Written Answers — Local Government: Local Government (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. Under the relevant provisions of the Act, a proposal to establish a town council is a matter for the local community in the first...

Written Answers — Community Warden Service: Community Warden Service (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Naas Town Council is one of five pilot local authorities for the community warden service, the others being Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Leitrim County Council and Wexford County Council. Following an independent review and evaluation of the pilot service in 2004, I decided to continue the pilots for one more year. The question of the continuation or extension of the scheme...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: A career break consists of special leave without pay for a period of not less than one year and not more than five years. It is open to an employee who has satisfactorily completed a probationary period to apply for a career break for most purposes including further education, domestic responsibilities, starting a business or a stay abroad. Under the scheme, a career break may not, however,...

Written Answers — Regional Road Network: Regional Road Network (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The improvement and realignment of non-national roads and bridges in County Kildare is a matter for Kildare County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants. To date, Kildare County Council has not sought grant aid from my Department for funding for Bond Bridge. In August 2005, local authorities were invited to submit proposals to my Department for inclusion in...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (29 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. My Department is arranging a meeting with representatives of Roscommon County Council in the near future on a number of issues of archaeological interest, including that of Rathcroghan.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The Ballina main drainage scheme is approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006. In July 2005, I approved Mayo County Council's tender recommendations in respect of upgrading the treatment plant and the expansion and improvement of the sewage collection system. It is now a matter for the council to make arrangements for the commencement of...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Article 28(1)(d) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 provides that where it appears to a planning authority that the area of another local authority might be affected by a proposed development for which a planning application has been made, it shall notify that local authority. Section 37(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that, where any prescribed body...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (29 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Like all development which is not exempted development, planning permission must be sought for the erection of an antennae support structure or mast. Article 6 and Schedule 2, Part 2, Class 35 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 sets out certain exemptions in this area, including, subject to certain conditions, the attachment of additional antennae to an existing antenna support...