Results 2,621-2,640 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (26 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The information requested on the number of local authority parks or park departments in local authorities is not available in my Department, and staffing returns received from local authorities do not contain the classification of employees referred to in the Question. It is a matter for the manager of each local authority, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, to make such...

Written Answers — Recreational Amenities: Recreational Amenities (26 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 206, inclusive, together. Section 67 and Schedule 13 of the Local Government Act, 2001 empower local authorities to take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things (including the incurring of expenditure) as they consider necessary to promote the interests of the local community. This includes general recreational and leisure activities...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (26 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: A copy of the training specification for BER Assessors (New Dwellings) is available in the Oireachtas library. This specification is also available on the Sustainable Energy Ireland website: www.sei.ie/epbd.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: At this stage, a total of 224 staff have confirmed their availability to decentralise with my Department to Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford, and New Ross. 118 of these are now working in the Department and the process of arranging for the transfer of the other staff to the Department is continuing. A total of 147 of my Department's staff indicated their intention to decentralise with other...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The Athea Sewerage Scheme, which is being advanced as part of a grouped project that also involves Askeaton, Foynes, Glin and Shanagolden, is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 as a scheme to commence construction in 2007. My Department is awaiting submission of Limerick County Council's Preliminary Reports for the project.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Details of the major sewerage schemes in County Limerick that have been approved for funding by my Department, together with scheduled commencement dates, are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Information on smaller schemes, for which full responsibility has been devolved to Limerick County Council, may be obtained from...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (25 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 674 of 21 February 2006. The issue remains under consideration.

Written Answers — Cúrsaí Pleanála: Cúrsaí Pleanála (25 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Dhíreoinn aird ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Uimh. 1558 ar an 27 Meán Fómhair 2006.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Provision for spouses' and children's pensions is provided for in Part III of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. Chapters 5 and 6 of Part III of the 1998 Scheme cover the revised spouses' and children's pension arrangements which were introduced with effect from 1 September 1984. Membership of the spouses' and children's pension scheme is compulsory for all...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Although not directly linked to any specific greenhouse gas emissions, the Government is already making an annual contribution equivalent to $3.25 million to assist developing countries in addressing climate change. This funding, which commenced in 2005 and will continue for a minimum of four years, is a separate matter to carbon allowances which the Government may purchase through the...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The matter referred to has not yet been determined in a judgment of the European Court of Justice. However the Advocate General's opinion on this case was delivered on 21 September 2006. In the case, the Commission put forward three complaints against Ireland of which one was withdrawn. The remaining two were (a) the absence of specific measures for the effective implementation of the system...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The Coolgreany Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 under the Serviced Land Initiative at an estimated cost of €1.5m. My Department is currently examining Wexford County Council's Contract Documents for the scheme. Once approved, the Council will be in a position to invite tenders so that works can start as soon as...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: A draft species action plan for the freshwater pearl mussel, including the Nore pearl mussel (Margaritifera durrovensis) is being prepared. This work is at an advanced stage and I expect that the draft plan will be released for public consultation early in 2007. Work is also progressing on conservation assessments for freshwater pearl mussels throughout the State, and the outcome of this work...

Written Answers — Recreational Facilities: Recreational Facilities (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 691 together. Information on the number, names and location of public playgrounds in Ireland is not available in my Department. However, Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2005, published earlier this year by the Local Government Management Services Board, reported on performance across 42 indicators covering the broad range of local authority...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: It is a matter for the manager of each local authority, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he/she is responsible. As outlined in the reply to Question No. 570 of 10 October 2006, the management, custody, care and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department currently assists local authorities with capital costs in relation to leasing temporary accommodation for the purposes of processing archives. This funding is intended to subsidise the leasing of short-term accommodation used by a local authority in this regard. It is not proposed to extend this funding to the provision of permanent archive accommodation beyond the current...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Government support for local authority recycling measures is generally provided from the Environment Fund. Since 2002, some €90 million has been allocated to assist local authorities in the provision of greatly expanded recycling facilities. This has facilitated an increase in Bring Banks from 837 in 1998 to 1,929 in 2004 and in Civic Amenity sites from 30 in 1998 to 69 in 2004. In 2006,...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Funding for a Preliminary Assessment of Phase I of Kerry County Council's Villages Sewerage Scheme Refurbishment proposals, which includes Tarbert, has been approved under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. My Department is awaiting submission of Kerry County Council's report on the Preliminary Assessment. I understand that the Council is also developing a...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: A new management planning process is being put in place on a phased basis for all six of our National Parks, including the Burren National Park. Management Plans have already been published for Wicklow Mountains and Killarney National Parks. Preliminary work on the Burren National Park Management Plan will begin this year with a view to publication during 2007. My Department is in regular...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The National Development Plan 2000-2006 commits expenditure of €2.43 billion to non-national roads in the Plan period — €1.08 billion in the BMW Region and €1.35 billion in the SE Region. My Department has provided grant assistance of almost €2.584 billion to local authorities in both regions over the period 2000 to 2005 — €1.057 billion in the BMW Region and €1.527 billion in...