Results 2,661-2,680 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (20 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012, I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Bodies Data (20 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department’s agency rationalisation programme has seen the number of agencies reduce from 21 to 10. A further reduction to 8 is planned for 2014 with the merger of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the dissolution of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The registration of vehicles is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. If a quad bike is not used in a public place, motor tax is not payable. When used in a public place, quad bikes do not fall within the definition of agriculture tractor for motor tax purposes and are taxed at the private rate of motor tax, based on engine capacity. The rate of motor tax for a quad with engine capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Finances (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 418, 419 and 421 together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 118 and 119 of 14 November 2013 in which I stated that it is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to manage its own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. The Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, which was...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authorities Management (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Following his retirement the outgoing Sligo Manager will no longer be a member of the Board or the Finance committee of the LGMA. The Sligo manager is not a member of the separate Audit Committee of the LGMA.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authorities Management (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 116, 117, 125 and 126 of 14 November 2013. It is appropriate for an official of my Department to extend thanks on the occasion of the retirement of a County or City Manager.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authorities Management (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am not aware of the comments made and the issue has not been drawn to my attention by the trade union in question.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Yield (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 424, 426 and 436 together. In 2013, revenue from the Local Property Tax has accrued to the Exchequer. Questions concerning usage of this revenue should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Finance. The local government funding model will change considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014, the Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: West Cork Development Partnership are contracted on behalf of my Department in relation to the implementation of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. On 20 May 2013, WCDP were awarded a revised allocation of RDP funding of €12,645,076.00 which includes €245,697 ring-fenced for Gaeltacht areas. During 2011, the European Commission approved a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 433 together. I assume that the Questions refer to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department's contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. 2014 general purpose grant allocations will be announced in due course. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Fund (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Revenue Commissioners have responsibility for the collection of the Local Property Tax and, as such, detailed queries concerning anticipated revenue in 2014 should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Finance. In any event, the Municipal Districts will not be determined until after the enactment of the Local Government Bill 2013. The Local Government Bill 2013 provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The legislation needed to provide for the operation of a pyrite remediation scheme and the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB) 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 in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Property Tax will provide a more sustainable funding model for local government, will devolve greater responsibility for financial decisions to the local level, and will help renew the relationship between the citizen and his or her local authority. The Government has been keen to ensure that equity is seen to be preserved in terms of the operation of the Tax and that therefore all...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Recruitment (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department received sanction requests in respect of 16 staff from Dublin City Council in the period 1 July 2013 to 11 November 2013 . The information in relation to these sanction requests is set out in the table. Local Authority Date of Staffing Request Title of Post(s) Number of Post(s) Type of Contract sought Outcome Dublin City 03/09/2013 Assistant Intelligent...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Noise Pollution Legislation (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to take further steps to address noise pollution, inter alia, through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on-the-spot fines).  The development of new noise legislation by my Department is being considered in the context of this commitment. It is expected that the Draft General Scheme of Bill will be submitted to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date was liable to pay the Household Charge in 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Charge has operated on a self-assessment basis; it has been a matter for an owner of a residential property...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean. Water which is wholesome and clean is defined as water which is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (19 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2007 set out a clear statutory framework for construction activity based on: - clear legal standards as set out in the Building regulations; - detailed Technical Guidance Documents to outline how these standards can be achieved in practice; - the burden and responsibility for compliance resting first and foremost with developers/builders; - a...