Results 3,061-3,080 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (8 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First sets out Government decisions for a range of local government reform measures, including the decision to replace town councils with a new comprehensive model of municipal governance to strengthen local government within counties and address weaknesses and anomalies in the current system.  Definitive details,...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Staff Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: They are private.

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Staff Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: To clarify, the working group is not about union negotiations between workers and a private company employer. The working group is about the structures that will be put in place to deliver for the people and the communities. That is what I am interested in. What is the best way of ensuring we have robust structures to deliver best for the people? The union negotiations with workers in...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Staff Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: He probably does that on a regular basis.

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Staff Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputies Byrne and Collins for raising the matter and allowing me to clarify some of the issues. Last October, the Government approved a new programme for effective local government entitled Putting People First, which included recommendations by an expert alignment steering group for enhancing alignment between local government and local communities. The steering group made a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Telecommunications Services Provision (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has no overall function regarding the implementation of the proposal referred to in the Question. It is a matter for each Government Department and public body to ensure that appropriate information is available to the public in relation to the services provided by them and to determine the manner in which such information is provided. With regard to local government, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Services (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: Recently, as part of the Local Government sector’s shared services programme, Laois County Council was selected, following a competitive bidding process, to provide shared payroll and superannuation services on behalf of all local authorities. Subject to the completion of further detailed design, the new local authority shared service centre will begin operation from early 2014. As...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat litter. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering is a matter for local authorities.  Accordingly, it is a matter for each individual local authority to decide the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter, taking account of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Remit (3 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: This is an operational matter which falls within the remit of the Pyrite Resolution Board. My Department understands that the figure of €500 is the overall maximum that will be recouped to applicants on confirmation by testing that a dwelling has a Damage Condition Rating of 2 consistent with pyritic heave. The figure was determined taking account of a number of factors, including the...

Topical Issue Debate: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (2 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am conscious of the good work done by group water schemes throughout the country and the amount of work that goes into putting them in place. Between 2000 and the end of 2012, my Department, under its rural water programme, provided almost €770 million towards the capital cost of improving existing group water schemes and the provision of...

Topical Issue Debate: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (2 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I remind the Deputy that since 1997 local authorities have devolved responsibility in drawing up the list of areas they wish to have considered for funding. They can actually target some funding themselves in consultation with the Department. I realise the areas about which the Deputy is talking have a particular issue in getting a local contribution. The €6,475 per house might not...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Yield (2 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The self-assessed charge is set at €200 per annum and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. The Non Principal Private Residence Charge is not related to the value of a property. As such,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Issues (2 Oct 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 Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters.  With regard to the application of rates to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Postal Voting (2 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: In order to be able to vote at elections and referendums, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors - whole-time members of the Defence Forces; members of the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Referendum Expenditure (2 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, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (2 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department continues to monitor the situation with regard to the allocation and drawdown of funding under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) . I advised all Local Development Companies (LDCs), including West Cork Development Partnership, of their revised Programme allocations in May 2013 and LDCs were given until 31 August to allocate any remaining...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Provision (2 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose taking Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together. The Water Services Act 2007 provides that where a property is connected to a public water or waste water system the property owner is only responsible for the maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems which are connected within the boundary of their premises. It would not be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (2 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has not contracted any consultants to advise on the possible sale of any assets since 1 January 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Priory Hall Development (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply given to Question No. 136 of 25 September 2013, which sets out the position on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Political Reform (1 Oct 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no proposals to introduce 'electoral recall' as part of the Government's programme of political reform.