Results 2,041-2,060 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Unfinished Housing Developments (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The development in question has been identified as an unfinished housing development. I understand that my Department has not received any request for funding along the lines suggested. The administration and addressing of issues relating to unfinished housing developments are matters for the individual local authority involved, in this case Louth County Council. Matters of a planning...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Issues (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 414 together. I have no function in the regulation of operations of this nature, which, for planning purposes are a matter for the local authority concerned, or for An Bord Pleanala on appeal, and for purposes of integrated pollution prevention and control licensing, where appropriate, are a matter for the EPA. Under the Environmental Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Issues (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to waste licences is a matter for the EPA. Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, as amended, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases. However, in this specific case I understand that the Agency was aware of and provided prior...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: In accordance with Article 183 of the Local Government ( Superannuation ) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 to 2012 (LGSS) , membership of the Spouses & Children’s Pension Scheme is mandatory for all persons who became pensionable on or after 1 January 1986. I understand that the person referred to in the question has availed of the option to have previous service re-instated for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Remuneration (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The salaries for county and city managers, effective from 1 July 2013, are set out in the table: Local Authority Manager Salary Dublin City Council € 175,721 Cork County Council Fingal County Council South Dublin County Council € 150,977 Cork City Council Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Kildare County Council Meath County Council Limerick City and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Yield (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 419 together. I refer to the reply to Question 105 of 11 December. The position is unchanged. Under section 157 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, from 2014 the Minister for Finance is required to pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year. The uses to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 422 together. A range of contracts are in place for the provision of ICT services including training, software and storage provision. While not considered as a consultancy, my Department did engage an external company for the provision of training and continuing professional development of its ICT unit and this contract has not been renegotiated...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Legal Costs (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Each year my Department is required to prepare and submit to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General an Appropriation Account of funds expended from Vote 25 in the year concerned. Following audit, the Account is published on the Comptroller’s website and includes details of legal costs incurred by my Department, set out by way of a note to the Account. Data in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (17 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Insofar as local authorities are concerned, I refer to the reply to Question No. 417 on today’s Order Paper. All payments made to staff in my Department are made in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform pay policy. No exemption to pay policy has been made in respect of any official in my Department or in respect of any employee of an agency under the aegis of...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have just explained to the Senator the legal complications I face. The Senator may be an expert on law but I have to deal with the Attorney General and the legal resources in my Department to advise me. I gave her the background in terms of the difficulties that arose. I do not want the unfortunate home owner to be put into a protracted legal issue again. We cannot say how much it will...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Not true. The Senator does not have her facts right.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I will.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank all Members of the House for their support of the legislation. I thank the Pyrite Action Group who lobbied, through their public representative across the various counties and the wider public, because of the serious concern that individuals had for the plight of the homeowners who ended up with a pyritic problem, through no fault of their own. I thank all of the public...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am not into speculative figures or figures off the top of one's head remarks. I am considering, in a qualified way, the type of categorisation that the panel put on the extent of the problem. It said there is between 850 to 1,000 homes in urgent need of remediation and that is what the scheme is about. The quality of the built environment affects the quality of everyday life, as Senator...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Perhaps we can discuss the matter on Committee Stage. I shall return to the matter then.

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I agree that it is unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting damage to be remediated. There are limitations on the funds available so we must have some restrictive scheme in place, as a last resort, to help the people that are in urgent and immediate need of remediation. I am concerned about problems relating to insurance cover and, more correctly, the restrictions that are being...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: It would be easy to say that the regulatory system was deficient but that is not true. Builders and developers are obliged under building regulations to use proper materials. There is an obligation on suppliers to supply materials that are fit for purpose. I agree with everyone in the House who said that the people that caused the problem should pay but we ran into legal difficulties under...

Seanad: Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am delighted to have this opportunity to introduce the Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 to the House. It represents an important milestone in the quest to provide sustainable and practical solutions for home owners affected by pyritic damage, many of whom have had to endure the hardship of living in pyrite-damaged homes for some considerable time. Developing the structures necessary to...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I will conclude.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Senator Mac Conghail was very concerned about the fact that there was no significant devolution in the legislation. In respect of local authorities, members now have power to vary the local property tax and have a source of income at local level that will be enshrined on 1 January 2015 due to this power to vary rates plus or minus 15% of the national central rate. This is fundamental to...