Results 3,441-3,460 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Serviced Land Initiative: Serviced Land Initiative (26 May 2009)

John Gormley: Last month, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply of housing in some areas, informed all local authorities that the Initiative was being discontinued. All existing scheme approvals under the Initiative, for which contracts had...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 May 2009)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government includes a commitment in regard to a scheme of support for the replacement and upgrade of septic tanks older than 15 years with newer systems. While my Department has been examining the conditions which might attach to such a scheme, the timeframe for pursuing this commitment will remain under ongoing review, having regard to current budgetary constraints. My...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (26 May 2009)

John Gormley: As set out in the Revised Estimates for the Public Service 2009, the 2009 allocation for the built heritage capital programme is €12.5 million, compared to a 2008 provisional outturn of €26.034 million.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 May 2009)

John Gormley: I understand that the person in question applied to sell some bog to my Department in October 2004. However, the documentation received was incomplete, as it did not contain a Land Registry folio or maps. My Department wrote to the applicant in November 2004 requesting the missing documents. The applicant did not respond to this letter, nor to a reminder, until September 2008, when the...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (21 May 2009)

John Gormley: In accordance with a long-standing approach provided in section 1 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952 (and regulations made under this Act), the cost of motor tax is calculated on the basis of whole calendar months for periods of three, six or twelve months. To change to a monthly tax period would greatly increase the costs of administering motor tax and cause an adverse...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (21 May 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 198 together. Allocations for the various programmes and schemes under the 2009 built heritage capital programme could not be finalised pending publication of the Revised Estimates for the Public Service 2009. I expect to make an announcement shortly in relation to the allocations for the various programmes and schemes including the local authority...

Written Answers — Procurement Procedures: Procurement Procedures (21 May 2009)

John Gormley: No requirements, in addition to EU procurement requirements and national procurement policy and guidelines as set out by the Department of Finance, have been defined by my Department in respect of tendering for construction contracts within the local government sector. Both EU and National guidelines stipulate that demonstration of financial capacity is a valid criterion for tender...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (21 May 2009)

John Gormley: In 2009 to date, over €1 million has been recouped to Waterford County Council in respect of work completed on Dungarvan fire station, the purchase of a new fire appliance, the purchase of two water tankers as well as the retro-fitting of exhaust extraction systems in Tramore and Cappoquinn fire stations. In recent years, a further €1.2 million was recouped to the Council in respect of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (21 May 2009)

John Gormley: The provisions governing local authority membership and local authority employment are set out in sections 13 and 161 of the Local Government Act 2001. Under section 13 of the Act, a person employed by a local authority who is not the holder of a class, description, or grade of employment designated by order under section 161 is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from being a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 May 2009)

John Gormley: My Department receives in excess of 40,000 valid invoices for payment each year from contractors and suppliers. The average time taken to make payments in respect of these for the period from 1 May 2008 to 30 April 2009 was 19 days. My Department does not compile or hold data of this kind for bodies under the aegis of the Department.

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (20 May 2009)

John Gormley: Under Article 5 of Directive1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, each Member State of the European Union is required to prepare and oversee the implementation of a National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste which will set out measures progressively to divert biodegradable municipal waste away from landfill in accordance with specified targets over the period to 2016. In April 2006, Ireland's...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 May 2009)

John Gormley: The Ballymore Eustace Wastewater Treatment Plant was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 under the Services Land Initiative. Last month, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 May 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 227 together. The Ennis Town Water Supply Treatment Scheme and the Ennis Town Water Supply Augmentation Scheme are both included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. Clare County Council is monitoring the commissioning of the new water treatment plant to ensure its long-term reliability to consistently...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 May 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 308 of 7 April 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (20 May 2009)

John Gormley: Farmers with land in areas which have been designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the hen harrier are eligible to join my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme, which has special provision for hen harrier areas. Entry to the scheme is voluntary. Applicants for the NPWS farm plan scheme are provided with a list of approved NPWS farm planners. A...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (20 May 2009)

John Gormley: This is a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (19 May 2009)

John Gormley: The 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) aims to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development across Ireland, supported by more effective planning, and has designated nine gateways and nine hubs which have the capacity to grow sustainably and to act as drivers of growth for their hinterlands and wider regions. Investment priorities identified under the National...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (19 May 2009)

John Gormley: The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 - 2008, introduced a requirement for a Building Energy Rating (BER) system. The Regulations require a person offering a building for sale or letting to produce a copy of the BER certificate and advisory report in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (19 May 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together. Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that, where an estate is completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the relevant planning permission, the planning authority must initiate taking in charge procedures as soon as possible following a request to do so by the developer or by the...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (19 May 2009)

John Gormley: Matters relating generally to animal health and welfare are within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. As indicated in previous replies on this matter, work has been ongoing for some time in my Department in drafting measures to provide for statutory regulation of dog breeding establishments within the dog control legislative regime. This process has...