Results 2,761-2,780 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (7 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Exchequer proposes a direct equity investment of €240m towards the capital funding of Irish Water in 2014. This will support projects to be included in Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan and will ensure that the entity is in a position to take on the water services investment programmes of the 34 water services authorities, including some 80 projects currently in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Assets (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I appreciate Senator Byrne's bona fides on this matter. It is quite unusual for him to come forward with a very constructive approach, certainly when I come to the House. I appreciate that he is seeking a solution to this matter. I will undertake to examine it legally and see what we can do to allay the concerns. There will be 40 councillors and I am sure Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I appreciate the Senator's genuine concern for the people of Abbeyleix and Shaen. He has articulated the community concerns, of which I am aware, living in north Kilkenny and a near neighbour of those areas. I assure the Senator that I will convey directly to the Minister for Health tomorrow the strong feelings he has expressed on behalf of the community.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Assets (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter and I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide some policy context and detail in relation to the legislative provisions proposed regarding matters such as these. The issue of local government reform at sub-county level was raised on the Adjournment in the House last month, and while I do not propose to revisit the contributions of Senator...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Home Services (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I convey apologies on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, who is unable to take this Adjournment matter. I thank Senator John Whelan for raising the issue. Government policy is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development Projects (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The project referred to in the question was a strategic initiative under the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 implemented by Meath Partnership and involving 10 rural villages in Co Meath. A consultant was engaged to work with each village over an 18 month period to produce community-led village development plans. The consultancy fee was €59,129 and was a collective figure...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: 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 authorities from the Fund. In addition, the establishment...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Generally speaking the requirements of the building regulations, which represent the minimum legally enforceable performance standards, apply to a newly constructed building or to an existing building undergoing an extension, a material alteration or a material change of use. The Building Control Act 1990 firmly places the statutory responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme Issues (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 122 together. The Seniors Alert Scheme provides grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of equipment to enable older persons, with 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 voluntary groups with the support of my...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 to 114, inclusive, together. The Local Government Bill 2013 provides, inter alia , for the establishment of Local Community Development Committees for the purpose of developing, co-ordinating and implementing a coherent , area-based approach to local and community development within each local authority administrative area. The approach and structure...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Supply (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together. Under the allocation of powers and responsibilities set out in the Water Services Acts the operation, maintenance and management of the water supply systems in the Dublin region are a matter for the relevant water services authorities under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency. Matters relating to the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) is the umbrella organisation for Local Development Companies (LDCs). These LDCs deliver both the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) and the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) on behalf of my Department. My Department has an annual contract with ILDN, and this is renewed on the basis of an agreed and costed annual work plan. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Burial Grounds (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The provision and management of burial facilities in the Dundalk area is entirely a matter for the Dundalk Joint Burial Board. My Department has no function in relation to the matter raised in the Question.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Impact (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.  The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Noise Pollution Legislation (6 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Environmental Noise Directive (END) 2002/49/EC sets out certain requirements for the assessment and management of environmental noise, in particular from road and rail infrastructure as well as major airports. The END aims to define a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (5 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Work Placement Programme (5 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have allocated €2.835m, from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2013, to cover once off costs such as health and safety training, personal protective clothing, necessary equipment and materials that will be incurred by local authorities providing placements in the Department of Social Protection's Gateway local authority employment initiative. The scheme will provide short-term quality...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (5 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together. The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 came into effect on 1 July 2013, replacing the system whereby vehicles were declared off the road retrospectively when next being taxed with a procedure under which vehicles must now be declared off the road in advance. The Act provided for a three month transition period from 1 July 2013 to 30...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Development Companies Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The West Cork Area Partnership is contracted to carry out projects on behalf of my Department in relation to the LEADER and Local and Community Development Programmes. In regard to LEADER, during 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% for the LEADER elements of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013. This had the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electromagnetic Fields Studies (5 Nov 2013)

Phil Hogan: The issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This Report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, is available for download on my Department's website, The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion was that no adverse short - or long -...