Results 2,581-2,600 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: In September 2011, I established an independent panel to consider options for a resolution of the problem of pyrite in the sub-floor hardcore material which had manifested itself in dwellings in a small number of local authority areas. The Panel undertook a desktop study, in conjunction with stakeholder consultation, to establish certain facts in relation to the potential exposure to pyrite...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provided the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Charge has operated on a self-assessment basis with an owner of a residential property determining liability and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department does not pay membership fees in respect of any social or sporting clubs . Expenditure in respect of staff membership fees of professional bodies in 2013 is outlined in the table below. Fees to professional bodies are reimbursed in certain circumstances such as where there is a legal requirement for the staff member to be registered with a professional body (e.g. in order...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department places considerable emphasis on relevant skills development by staff at all levels. It offers on-going educational and training support for staff, in respect of particular business requirements identified through the business planning mechanism and the Performance Management Development System. Under the Refund of Educational Fees Scheme, which operates on an annual basis, staff...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The information requested in the question is not collated by my Department. The 2012 Annual Report and Accounts for An Bord Pleanála were received in my Department on 14 November 2013 and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as required under section 118 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, shortly, following their submission to Government. Note 7 to the Accounts, on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is being compiled in my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Grants (3 Dec 2013)

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 provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans in relation to the Town Hall facility in Loughrea, Co Galway. I understand, however, that an application for LEADER funding has been submitted to Galway Rural Development (GR D), the Local Development Company (LDC) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) in that area. In line with the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Commission Administration (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254 and 263 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has no plans to introduce a national community hedge-cutting grant scheme. Regarding a local authority initiative, it is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard both to locally identified needs and available resources.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Asbestos Remediation Funding (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: There are no specific grants available from my Department or local authorities for the removal of asbestos in buildings. However, the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability provide a range of grants for necessary improvement works or adaptations to houses in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Regulations (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Issues concerning the enforcement of waste management legislation, including the issuing of licences, are a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority and should therefore be pursued with the Environmental Protection Agency or the relevant local authority, as appropriate. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, as Minister, I am precluded from exercising any power or...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Development Companies Administration (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. There are 50 Local Development Companies (LDCs) contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the Local Community Development Programme, with 35 of those also delivering the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, throughout the country. These LDCs are independent companies with their own boards of management...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Development Companies Administration (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department's Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is managed and administered, on my Department's behalf, by Pobal. The aim of the annual approval process is to facilitate and promote a more co-ordinated delivery of the services provided by Local Development Companies under the LCDP, by facilitating complementarity between their individual plans and the County/City strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The legislation needed to provide for the operation of a pyrite remediation scheme and the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board on a statutory basis is currently in preparation and my Department is working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to ensure that the Bill is published at the earliest possible date. I hope to bring the legislation to the Oireachtas before...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Panel Report Recommendations (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The report of the independent Pyrite Panel, which was published in July 2012, recommended engagement by key stakeholders, including the banks, in processes which would provide solutions for affected homeowners. My preferred approach was for responsible stakeholders to take ownership of the problem and to work with me to provide a voluntary industry led solution to the problem. Against this...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Priory Hall Development (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: In October 2013 I announced a welcome development in relation to Priory Hall in the form of a resolution framework resulting from a three week process of engagement with the stakeholders best placed to deliver the necessary solutions. In broad terms, the key features of the framework document include: - the Government, Dublin City Council, the relevant members of the Irish Banking...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Reform (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Subject to age and residency requirements, a registered elector's citizenship determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. British citizens may vote at Dáil, European Parliament and local elections; EU citizens may vote at European Parliament and local elections; and non-EU citizens may vote at local elections. Irish citizens alone are entitled to vote at Presidential...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf , to deliver the Programme throughout the country. These groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (3 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. During 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% in relation to LEADER. This had the effect of reducing the available funding under the Programme from €427 million to an estimated €370 million. It was therefore necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of the level...