Results 2,201-2,220 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I agree with Deputy O'Sullivan that it is a serious issue. The need to continue to have in place abstinence-based facilities and programmes for people exiting drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres is acknowledged. Dublin City Council is working in partnership with the HSE and the non-governmental service providers to increase the quantum of units required for abstinence-based residential...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I understand there is a management transfer arrangement seeking to be worked out between Depaul Ireland and Dublin YMCA. The discussions about this have been going on for many years. There is hope that this particular agreement can be worked out. The transfer is being supported by Dublin City Council and the HSE.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: During 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% in respect of Leader. This has had the effect of reducing overall funding available under the programme. The overall value of the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme is currently €370 million. Of that up to 20% can be spent on administration, leaving a minimum of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Expenditure (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: As Deputy Ó Cuív knows better than anyone, it is a multi-annual funding programme, which has regularly underspent the annual allocations since it began in 2009. The Department has been in a position to carry over significant amounts of unspent money into the following year and the same will happen on this occasion. Leader spending has increased each year since 2009 and I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I wish to clarify that we have no difficulty with Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív taking Question No. 1 on behalf of Deputy Barry Cowen.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his clarification. Mountmellick sewerage scheme, phases 2 and 3, is listed in the current water services investment programme 2010–13 as a scheme to progress through planning. The scheme aims to improve the wastewater infrastructure to meet the needs of existing development within the town. Phase 2 will involve the upgrade and expansion of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: We are making progress. Mountmellick sewerage scheme is included in the programme for the period 2010 to 2013. As I said, the Environmental Protection Agency has to adjudicate on the application for a wastewater discharge licence. It is an independent agency and I cannot interfere in that process. The application was lodged just a few months ago arising following the decision by An Bord...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have just told the Deputy that all of the projects listed in the water services investment programme 2010-13 will transfer to Irish Water on 1 January 2014; therefore, the project will be included in the capital investment plan for the period 2014 to 2015. We cannot progress the project any further until we receive the EPA licence. It will not move backwards when responsibility is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Negotiations (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: nister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan) The 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Warsaw from 11 to 22 November, in conjunction with the 9th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol; the 39th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies on Implementation and Scientific and Technical Advice, and the third...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government is to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. Together with the Minister for Housing and Planning, I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme is optimise d in terms of resources and focus to maximise the response...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The existing Wind Energy Development Guidelines were published in June 2006. They provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy through the development plan and development management processes. The guidelines are also intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Youghal Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department’s current Water Services Investment Programme. The scheme includes a Wastewater Treatment Plant DBO Contract and a Network Contract. Cork County Council has recently submitted a Report on Tenders to my Department for the Wastewater Treatment Plant DBO Contract and this Report is currently under examination. The Council has also...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: As well as the new tenant purchase scheme for local authority apartments, there is also an incremental purchase scheme in operation for newly-built local authority houses. I will shortly bring the General Scheme of a Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill before Government for approval before the end of this year. Among other things, the Bill will underpin a new tenant purchase scheme for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The final text of an EU Directive requires the agreement of both the Council of Ministers, representing the Member States, and the European Parliament in the final trilogue negotiations on any particular EU Directive. In the case of the current negotiations on the Commission proposals for a revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, I understand that the European Parliament...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Recreation Policy (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy is overseen by Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) which is chaired by my Department, meets on average 3 to 4 times a year, and continuously supports and oversees the implementation of the Strategy and its associated schemes and activities. The main initiatives which are being progressed through Comhairle na Tuaithe...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Grants (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: On 25 June 2013, I signed the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a copy of which are available in the Oireachtas library. The Regulations brought into operation a grants scheme to assist with the cost of remediation of septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems which are deemed, following inspection under the EPA’s National...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Any changes to the current legislation on taking in charge, as set out in section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, will be further considered in the context of the next Planning Bill review, which I expect to undertake in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has a range of measures in place to assist disadvantaged urban communities. The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. The objective of the LCDP is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Fund (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 32 together. The local government funding model will change considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014, 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; this revenue will be allocated to local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Philanthropy Initiatives (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Government established the Forum on Philanthropy in May 2006 in order to promote a culture of philanthropy in Ireland. The Forum initially comprised the Departments of An Taoiseach (in the Chair), Finance and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, as well as five private philanthropic organisations. On 1 May 2011, responsibility for the Forum was transferred to my Department. I...