Results 4,641-4,660 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: In line with Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 governing the appointment and role of Special Advisers, I have appointed an Adviser as Press and Information Officer in my Department. The Press and Information Officer is supported in his role by three civil servants — one Higher Executive Officer; one Executive Officer and one Clerical Officer — all of whom work in the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: As set out in the recent Budget Day announcement, decisions on the implementation timelines for the proposed relocation of my Department's offices to Waterford, New Ross and Kilkenny have been deferred pending a review in 2011 in light of the budgetary situation. Decisions on the relocation of the Local Government Computer Services Board to Drogheda and the National Building Agency to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together. The Government announcement on 14 October 2008 confirmed that the decentralisation of my Department's Headquarters to Wexford (270 posts) will proceed as planned. However the transfer of posts to the three other locations in the South East — Waterford (225 posts), New Ross (125 posts) and Kilkenny (62 posts) — is being deferred...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: As part of the decentralisation programme, 270 posts in my Department are due to transfer to the Department's new Headquarters in Wexford during 2009. A rationalisation programme is being developed in respect of the Department's remaining offices in Dublin. A number of smaller offices in the city centre will be vacated and the relevant staff transferred into existing accommodation,...

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (5 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: My Department allocates funds annually to individual local authorities on the basis of priority areas identified in capital and current expenditure proposals submitted by them each year; Capital funds are intended to address the priority needs of people with a disability by providing and improving accessibility to public buildings, roads, footpaths, beaches, amenity areas, heritage sites and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 379 and 386 together. The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of a charge on all non-principal private residences, and this will be used to support the provision of local services. I intend to bring forward legislation to implement the proposed charge as soon as possible, and this will set out the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I have no function in relation to roads projects approved by An Bord Pleanála under the Roads Act 1993, as amended. My Department has issued guidelines to local authorities regarding the establishment and operation of effective customer complaints systems. Any person who is not satisfied with a service or action of a local authority should in the first instance make a formal complaint to...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Under the Local Government Act 2001, and subsequent (Section 161) Order, 2004, local authority employees whose maximum remuneration does not exceed the maximum remuneration for the grade of Clerical Officer are eligible to be members of a local authority.

Written Answers — Health and Safety Issues: Health and Safety Issues (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Following extensive unauthorised works by sub-contractors my Department re-engaged consultants, White Young Green, to carry out an independent and rigorous assessment of site conditions on Haulbowline, including assessment of any health or environmental risks posed by the work, assessing quality of surface water, marine sediment and mussel bivalves in the vicinity and ambient air monitoring....

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: My Department is currently examining options to strengthen legislation on noise pollution, with a view to meeting the programme for Government commitment to publish comprehensive legislation on noise pollution as a matter of priority. A consultation paper was published on 27 August 2008 which outlines possible future measures which could be introduced to further alleviate noise nuisance....

Written Answers — Local Authority Staffing: Local Authority Staffing (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Planning authorities received 33,355 applications in the first half of 2008, a decrease of 34.6% on the same period in 2007. Planning authorities made 32,342 decisions in the first half of 2008, a decrease of 31% on the same period in 2007. Of the decisions made in the first half of 2008, 59.9% were made within 8 weeks as compared with 59.1% in the same period in 2007. Some 18,411 of...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Planning permissions are typically granted for a period of 5 years, though a planning authority may, having regard to the nature and extent of the relevant development and any other material consideration, specify a longer period during which a permission is to have effect. Where a planning permission expires, the developer may seek an extension of the relevant period. Subject to compliance...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: The position in regard to Ministers of State assigned to my Department is as follows. Minister of State Finneran is responsible for a range of functions relating to Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas. Minister of State Kitt is responsible for functions relating to environmental protection, the Rural Water Programme, aspects of environmental information, awareness and promotion,...

Written Answers — Estate Completions: Estate Completions (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 to 400, inclusive, together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 30 of 23 October 2008. The information requested in relation to the number of estates taken in charge by local authorities is not available in my Department. However, a new local government service indicator in relation to the taking in charge of estates has been introduced, and will provide...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Work to merge the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board, into the Local Government Services Board, has been initiated and is expected to require the preparation of legislation. These Bodies are funded through the local government system rather than by way of direct Exchequer subvention, and their merging will be designed to promote...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: The Gweedore Sewerage Scheme, which will serve Bunbeg and Derrybeg, and the Burtonport, Dungloe and Glenties Sewerage Schemes are included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009. My Department is awaiting submission by Donegal County Council of revised proposals for the Gweedore scheme, additional information relating to the Council's Preliminary...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which was commenced with effect from April 2004, introduced a registration system for quarries and provided that, following registration, planning authorities could impose appropriate controls on different categories of quarry. The owner or operator of a quarry was required, within one year of commencement of the section, to provide...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: In its judgment of 3 July 2008, the European Court of Justice ruled that the retention permission system as it applies in Irish law with regard to projects that require or may require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) under the EIA Directives does not comply with the Directives and needs to be amended. Irish legislation fails to ensure that EIAs will be conducted prior to the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of a charge on all non-principal private residences, and this will be used to support the provision of local services. I intend to bring forward legislation to implement the proposed charge as soon as possible, and this will set out the detailed measures necessary to give effect to it.

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, specify that objections to the inclusion of lands within a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) must be made in writing within three months of public notification. The proposed boundaries for Magheradrumman Bog cSAC were advertised on 1 March 1997. This three months time limit has been appropriately applied since...