Results 2,981-3,000 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Inspections (16 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The facility in question operates under waste licence granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I have no role in relation to the monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to waste licences. These are matters for the EPA and I am precluded from exercising any power in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases under the Waste...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Cork. It includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €230 million in the county during the period of the Programme. Contracts for both a wastewater treatment plant upgrade and network for the Bandon...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The primary purpose of the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 is to replace the system whereby a vehicle is only declared off the road when the owner next goes to tax it with a system where the vehicle has to be declared off the road in advance. This is aimed at closing an evasion loophole, costing taxpayers approximately €55m per annum, which was facilitated through the use of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to change the basis for the charging of motor tax for either three month discs or six month discs, both of which are set at a higher rate than the equivalent proportion of the annual fee to take account of the extra workload for the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and motor tax offices, and the resultant higher administrative and printing costs. In addition, reminders...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: 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. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Redeployment (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: A voluntary redundancy scheme was introduced for local authorities in July 2013. The aim of the scheme is to achieve a permanent reduction in the workforce of local authorities in line with the recommendations of the work force study - Workforce Planning in the Local Government Sector, and the Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First. The scheme is funded by...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The primary purpose of the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013, which came into effect on 1 July 2013, was to replace the system whereby vehicles were declared off the road only when they were next being taxed with a procedure under which vehicles are declared off the road in advance. There was a three month transition period, allowing owners to declare that the vehicle was off the road and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department provides funding for a range of activities in support of a better environment. Information on the various programmes, schemes and initiatives is available on my Department's website: I would be happy to provide more details on any of the various schemes, should the Deputy wish to seek more specific information.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 233 together. The Athenry Sewerage Scheme - Network and Treatment Plant Upgrade Contracts are included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013 as two contracts to start during the lifetime of the Programme with a combined estimated cost of over €11.6 million. My Department approved Galway County Council's Design...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 220 and 234 together. While it was my intention to have the legislation published and enacted in the previous Dáil term, a number of legal issues arose which have to be addressed. I am working, with my Department, to ensure that these issues are resolved as a matter of urgency, with a view to early publication of the legislation, following...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Illegal Dumping (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Enforcement action against illegal waste activity is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). My role, as M inister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and EPA enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated. My Department also provides financial...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Administration (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have allocated €6.385m for Dormant Accounts Measures in 2013, which includes €2.835m to cover once off costs, such as health and safety training, personal protective clothing and necessary equipment and materials, that will be incurred by local authorities providing placements in the Department of Social Protection’s (DSP’s) Local Authority Employment Initiative,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Vehicle Registration Issues (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: A vehicle that is currently unregistered can be registered with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. In accordance with motor tax legislation, a vehicle is required to be registered prior to being used in a public place or if a notification of transfer of vehicle ownership is being made.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Provision (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013 includes a number of Water Conservation Works Schemes for Cork County Council. Funding for water main rehabilitation works is available for suitable projects under the Water Conservation Stage 3 Works - Water Mains Rehabilitation Project Phase 1. Cork County Council has already been given approval for the rehabilitation of approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Issues (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: In June 2012, as part of a commitment in the Programme for Government to examine the introduction of a levy on packaging in conjunction with a waste reduction programme, I initiated a root and branch review of all aspects of the Producer Responsibility Initiative model in Ireland. The aim of the review is to assess the nature and level of the challenges which are currently facing the existing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Priory Hall Development (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Last week 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. I commend all of the parties concerned who have engaged in good faith in this difficult and complex process and who in a very tight timeframe have produced a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Protection Agency Investigations (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in close cooperation with Clare County Council, is actively investigating the cause of reported odours in Shannon with the objective of quickly identifying the source(s) of the odours and the reason why these odours are being released, so that any appropriate steps may be taken to address the issues and prevent any further releases. The EPA has also...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: RAPID Programme (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The RAPID programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion in RAPID areas nationally. The programme has made substantial progress in identifying the needs of disadvantaged communities and in bringing forward appropriate local projects in response to those needs. I provided funding of €2 million for RAPID...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fuel Laundering (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Enforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. The information sought in the Question is not held by my Department. However, between 2008 and 2012 my Department has provided funding of €4,074,258 on an exceptional basis in recognition of the particular difficulties which arose for the local authorities concerned in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Provision (15 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 210 and 211 of 2 October 2013, which stated that the Water Services Act 2007 sets out the functions of a water services authority with regard to the replacement of pipes and that it would not be appropriate to provide a grant system for the replacement of leaking pipes outside a home-owner’s property . If the deputy wishes to provide more specific...