Results 3,861-3,880 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (28 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: In April 2012, I announced a public consultation to inform and assist a review of the smoky coal ban. Following a review of submissions received under this process, I gave effect to new consolidating solid fuel regulations, the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 326 of 2012). These Regulations introduced a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: European Union Citizens' Initiative (28 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: The European Union (Citizens’ Initiative) Regulations 2012 put in place the arrangements necessary for the implementation in Ireland of the European Union Citizens Initiative. They designate the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government as the Competent Authority for the certification of online collection systems and the verification and certification of Statements...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (28 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: An estimated programme allocation of €370m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (28 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: An estimated programme allocation of €370m is available under Axis 3&4 (LEADER) of Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. The programme aims to support the diversification of the rural economy and improve the quality of life in rural areas. Measures under the programme can provide funding for both rural tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (28 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has no responsibility for, or role in, the management, maintenance or operation of wastewater treatment plants. Water services authorities, in this case Sligo County Council, are responsible for the provision of water services. I understand the property referred to in the Question is owned by Sligo County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Regulations (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: Issues concerning the enforcement of waste management legislation are a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority and should therefore be pursued with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the relevant local authority, as appropriate. The Office of Environmental Enforcement within the EPA has a mandate to deliver enhanced environmental compliance both through enforcement of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 makes provision for the charging of an administration fee through secondary legislation. The Bill makes no provision for the charging of a premium over and above the reasonable cost of administration and it cannot, therefore, be used as a tax-raising measure. It was indicated in the Second Stage debate in the Dáil on 24 April 2013 that there is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the statutory arrangements for the registration of architects. A variety of routes to registration are provided for in the Act, including specific provision (under section 22) for the registration of practically trained persons who may have no academic qualifications or formal education in the discipline of architecture but who had been...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: Following on from the publication of Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government, an Alignment Working Group has been established to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. A key area of focus for the Working Group is the establishment of Socio-Economic Committees and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Newtownmountkennedy Sewerage Scheme (Garden Village network contract) is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013 as a contract to start during the lifetime of the programme. My Department is currently awaiting Wicklow County Council’s submission of a revised brief for consultants for the preparation of the Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: Axis 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) aims to address quality of life issues in rural areas. More specifically the basic services measure of the RDP aims to identify and provide appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to local communities not otherwise available to them. The lack of such facilities in some rural communities is a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Pollution (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: A proposal to address the cryptosporidium problem on the Roscommon Central Regional Water Supply was received from Roscommon County Council in my Department on Friday evening, 17 May. The Council proposes to install a temporary water treatment plant at the Ballinagard Springs and to close the Rockfied source. On 21 May I gave my approval to the Council’s proposal. The total cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Administration (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Property Tax is being introduced on a half year basis this year, and accordingly, 50% of the Tax is payable in 2013. This year will also be the final year of the operation of the Non Principal Private Residence Charge. The Non Principal Private Residence Charge and the Local Property Tax operate under different mechanisms: the Charge is incurred on the basis of a flat rate of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 142, inclusive, together. Following publication of Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government, an ad hoc Alignment Working Group was established in February 2013 to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. The Working Group includes...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Legal Costs (23 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: Legal costs incurred by my Department arise primarily as a result of the process and outcome of litigation; there are, therefore, significant factors outside the control of my Department in relation to such costs. Within this context, every effort is made by my Department to keep costs to a minimum through, inter alia , proper management of legal cases, use of dedicated expertise in other...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services Provision (22 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: I will deal with the last point first. Work is being done on the algae problem. I assure the Deputies that I will ask the local authorities and the officials in my Department to give this matter the sense of urgency it deserves, in line with the information they have given to the House. I acknowledge the difficulties that people and consumers are experiencing. It is unacceptable in this...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Services Provision (22 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: I apologise to the Deputies for my delay in arriving in the House and for not being here for the appropriate slot but I thank them for raising this important issue. It would be useful to clarify the role of both the Department and the water services authorities in the provision of water services. The Department does not have responsibility for, or any role in, the management, maintenance...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee Reports (22 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have not yet received the report of the Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee which I established on 15 November 2012 to review and make recommendations on the division of each council area, other than Cork City, into local electoral areas, and to make recommendations on the number of members of each council to be assigned to each local electoral area. The Committee was requested to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (22 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 430 of 14 May 20 13 which sets out the position i n this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (22 May 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together. The Report of the Waterford Local Government Committee, which was published in October 2012, estimated savings, primarily payroll related, associated with the merger of Waterford City and County Councils at €3.87m. In addition, the Committee has indicated that further savings, in the range of €1.3m to €5m, can be...