Results 3,161-3,180 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Guidelines (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: Was that approved for planning?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Wind Energy Guidelines (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: It is not undermining the planning process if it has not already been adjudicated upon.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am not laughing.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Exemptions (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The Charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect Non-Principal Private Residence...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to change the basis for the charging of motor tax for either three or six month discs. Tax rates for these discs, set at a higher rate than the annual fee, 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 are issued on each renewal. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Issues (18 Sep 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 for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including the most appropriate method of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: Various aspects of motor tax policy are kept under regular review and the basis of taxation for commercial vehicles is one such area. However, I am not currently in a position to give a timescale for the outcome of any area of review or for the subsequent implementation of changes that are subject to the approval of the legislature.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Animal Welfare Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 835, 871 and 885 together. The most recent increase in the charge for a dog licence took effect from 1 January 2012.  This was the first increase since 1998 and was in line with the increase in the consumer price index. There is no clear evidence that the increase in the cost of a dog licence has led directly to a reduction in the number of dog...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non Principal Private Residence Charge. The Charge operates on a self-assessment basis. The 2009 Act place s the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority. Interpretation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 956 together. My Department continues to monitor the situation with regard to the allocation and drawdown of funding under the LEADER element s of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). I advised all Local Development Companies (LDCs) , including Kildare LEADER Partnership, of their revised Programme allocations in May 2013 and LDCs were...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing assistance through registered community groups who can demonstrate a track record of working with or providing services to older people within their communities. Individuals may also contact my Department directly with regard to the Scheme and will be referred to the group...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans currently to introduce a direct debit payment option for motor tax. Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The quarterly and half-yearly payment options incorporate a surcharge element to cover the higher administrative costs involved in processing such applications. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-year and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Animal Welfare Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992, places statutory responsibility for the dog control and licensing services on local authorities. The implementation of the Acts, including any promotional campaigns or educational programmes, is therefore a matter for the local authorities. The Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 (as amended) set out the requirement that certain breeds must be muzzled,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: On 1 July 2013, new motor tax procedures set out in the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 were introduced whereby a vehicle must be declared off the road in advance. However, a three month transition period is in place, ending on 30 September, whereby the owners of vehicles that have not been in use in a public place may go to a Garda Station and have their declaration in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: Chinese or sky lanterns present a range of issues in addition to the potential fire hazards they pose. They may affect aviation and coastal rescue services and pose a risk to animals and the environment. At present, their use requires prior permission from the Irish Aviation Authority. I am referring the issue to my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation who deals...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Administration (18 Sep 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Parking Charges (18 Sep 2013)

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

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Finances (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, including authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority. Local authority borrowing is subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2001; borrowing is a reserved function under Section 106 and requires the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 852 and 920 together. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013 provides for the commencement of water conservation contracts to the value of €18.79 million during the life of the programme in County Kerry. Since the publication of the Programme, Kerry County Council has completed its countywide Water Mains Rehabilitation Strategy, required...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Establishment (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group. In May 2013, following a competitive tender process, Irish Water announced details of a contract to run a call centre to deal with customer enquiries. The call centre will employ up to 100 people initially to support roll-out of the national...