Results 4,861-4,880 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (30 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Irish Environmental Network (IEN) is an umbrella organi sation for 32 environmental NGOs in Ireland. It was established as the Environmental (Ecological) NGOs Core Funding Limited in 2001 and trades as the Irish Environmental Network. My Department provides funding to the IEN to help build and maintain the capacity of its member organisations to assist them to contribute effectively to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (30 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS) provides grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of safety and security equipment to enable older persons, without sufficient means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Applications are made through the applicant's local community or voluntary group. Since March 2012 funding has been...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Rathmines & Pembroke Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013, as a scheme to advance through the planning stage. My Department has received a Brief for a Consultant to prepare a Preliminary Report for the scheme from Dublin City Council and this is currently being examined. The submission also includes a Planning Stage...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Exemptions (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 503, 505 and 506 together. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date was liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. It is a matter for an owner of a residential property to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Exemptions (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: To qualify for the vintage rate a vehicle must be constructed more than 30 years prior to the commencement of the period in relation to which the licence is sought. I have no plans to change this. A concessionary rate of motor tax was introduced on 1 July 1991 for vintage vehicles. The rates of motor tax were initially set at £10 (€13) for motorcycles and £25 (€32)...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Protection Agency (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established by the Government in 1993 following the enactment of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. The EPA was established as a non-commercial and independent state-sponsored body. A recent independent review of the EPA, available on my Department’s website, www.environ.ie , concluded that the EPA has the independence to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Gaeltacht area of North Mayo where the projects referred to in the question are situated was formerly serviced by Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) for the purposes of funding under Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP). MFG went into liquidation on 7 September 2011. Following a complex and difficult legal winding up process most Gaeltacht areas are now...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Elections (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 311 to 313, inclusive, on 11 December 2012 , which indicated that the terms of reference for the independent Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee specify, inter alia, a maximum total of 40 members of every council other than Dublin City Council and Cork County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Seniors Alert Scheme supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards monitored personal alarms. Applications are made through the applicant’s local community or voluntary group. An application has not been received in my Department, to date, on behalf of the person referred to in the question.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU-IMF Programme of Support (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland includes measures relating to extensive reform in the water services sector, replacement of rent supplement with a Housing Assistance Payment and management of local government finances. My Department maintains contact with the relevant EU authorities and the IMF as appropriate in the development and implementation of these measures.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The full proceeds of motor tax are paid into the Local Government Fund. The gross motor tax receipts paid into the Fund in 2012 were €1,049,938,718. This may not represent the final net figure, as reconciliation processes are ongoing. I have no function in relation to the funding of local road maintenance. I have been advised by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 to 521, inclusive, 523, 524, and 539 to 541, inclusive, together. I have recently received Government approval for the imposition of a levy on both the quarrying and insurance sectors, as recommended by the independent Pyrite Panel, in order to provide the funding necessary for the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings where no other forms of redress...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Fund (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 530 together. I assume that the Questions refer to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department’s contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. These grants continue to make a significant contribution to the revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date was liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. It is a matter for an owner of a residential property to determine liability and pay the Charge. The Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 532, 533 and 545 together. In 2012, my Department undertook public consultation on performance standards for domestic waste water treatment systems, including the requirements for operation, maintenance and desludging. Draft standards were published on 1 March 2012 together with an invitation for interested parties to make submissions as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: My Department has issued advice to the relevant Local Development Companies contracted to deliver Axes 3&4 in Gaeltacht areas on how to progress MFG legacy projects where issues have arisen in relation to missing or inadequate documentation. This will assist the Groups in their decision making process and facilitate the submission of claims for payment where appropriate. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Service Reform Plan Update (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012, provides the legal framework for further implementation of the Department’s Agency rationalisation programme. In relation to the specific actions outlined in Appendix IIa of the Public Service Reform Plan the following is the up to date position: The Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: I assume that the Question refers to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department’s contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. Some €640m in general purpose grants has been allocated to local authorities for 2013. In general, payment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local and Community Development Programme (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The reforms relating to local development, which I am now implementing, arise from Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government, approved by Government and published in October 2012; this incorporates the recommendations made in the Final Report of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. That report noted the number of local development...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (29 Jan 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Government has approved enhanced alignment between Local Government and Local Development as part of Putting People First– Action Programme for Effective Local Government, which was published in October 2012. The alignment proposals were developed by an expert steering group following consultation and inputs from the key stakeholders, including the Irish Local Development Network....