Results 4,961-4,980 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (1 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: EU Directive 1999/31/EC required member states to put in place national strategies to address the issue of biodegradable waste. Ireland published its national strategy in draft form in 2004 and my Department wrote to all local authorities on 7 April 2004 inviting submissions in relation to the draft strategy. On 11 June 2004, all local authorities were asked to ensure that the implications...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (1 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I am arranging to have a schedule of the proposed National Heritage areas, (NHAs) Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) forwarded to the Deputy. At present my Department is prioritising work on the European SAC and SPA designations. As this process is brought to conclusion over the next year or so I envisage greater attention then being given to the NHA...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (1 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The amount of funding paid to local authorities by way of general purpose grant for 2007 and in the period from 1 January to 30 September 2008 is set out in the table. General purpose grants from the Local Government Fund are my contribution to meet the difference between the cost to local authorities of providing an acceptable level of day to day services and the income available to them...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: The overall cost of the communications and awareness campaign on climate change, the Change campaign, for its first two years will be approximately €12.5m (exclusive of VAT), which will be funded from the Environment Fund. The costs incurred to date (exclusive of VAT) on the consultancy fees for the campaign as a whole and on the advertising element are provided in the following table: ...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: The Kilmaine and Shrule Water Supply Scheme is being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department approved Mayo County Council's proposals to serve these areas from the Tuam Regional Water Supply Scheme (Lough Corrib source) some time ago. I understand that the pipework to serve Shrule is now in place and that Mayo County Council is arranging...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: On 16 June 2008, I received the reports of the two independent Boundary Committees I established in January 2008 to review local electoral areas. When publishing the reports on 17 June 2008, I announced that I was accepting the recommendations contained in them. It is my view that to review or seek to amend the recommendation of the committees at this stage would undermine the independent...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: Civil service posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary are covered by a scheme of performance related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the Committee for Performance Awards. Since 2002, the funding for awards is based on 10% of the payroll for the posts covered by the scheme. Within this overall limit, payments of up to 20% can be made to individuals....

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: Under the decentralisation programme, all Dublin based operations of my Department are being decentralised, with the exception of Met Éireann, ENFO and a small co-ordination section which it is proposed to retain in Dublin to assist with the Department's Dáil and other business. A total of 682 Dublin based posts will be transferred to four locations in the South East: Wexford (270 posts);...

Written Answers — Compulsory Purchase Orders: Compulsory Purchase Orders (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: Of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, local authorities and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority are empowered to acquire land compulsorily. I have no function in relation to the making or confirmation of compulsory purchase orders and my Department does not collect information regarding the exercise of such powers by relevant authorities.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: Regulation of the use of helicopters is a matter in the first instance for the Irish Aviation Authority. My Department has not issued guidance to planning authorities regarding the grant of planning permission for helipads — this is a matter that would be dealt with under relevant planning legislation on a case specific basis, as with any other proposed development.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 485 to 487, inclusive, together. The Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 (as amended) came into operation on 1 June 2008 and replaced the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, 2001. The regulations provide for a system of permitting by local authorities of commercial waste collection activities and set out procedures for making...

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

John Gormley: Local authorities levy rates on commercial properties, including advertising hoardings and bus shelters. It is also open to local authorities to enter into contractual arrangements with companies that are permitted by the local authority to advertise in public areas.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: Circular Letter PD 1/08 required each planning authority by the end of June 2008 to develop or update, as appropriate, its policy on taking in charge residential developments, on the basis of a framework set out in the circular and wider housing and planning policy guidance. A new local government service indicator in relation to taking in charge has been introduced, which will provide...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: New emissions based VRT and motor tax systems were introduced in 2008 in order to influence the future purchasing decisions of car buyers. It was made clear from the beginning of the public consultation process on the proposed changes, in December 2006, that the proposals would not be made retrospective to the existing car fleet. The question of applying the new CO2 based motor tax system to...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: The Castleblayney Sewerage Scheme, which is being advanced as a grouped project with Ballybay and Clones, is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an overall estimated cost of €12m. My Department is awaiting Preliminary Reports from Monaghan County Council for the three locations. I understand that the Council is preparing an...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply on 25 September 2008 when this matter was raised on the Adjournment. Subsequently, I understand that the Health Services Executive has confirmed that tests carried out to date have established that none of the persons tested has shown any evidence of lead toxicity. I have strengthened the legislation and provided additional resources to the EPA to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: The Referendum Act 1994 does not make provision for the inspection and making available of certain documentation, including the marked copy of the electoral register. Furthermore, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government does not have any statutory function in relation to documentation arising from a referendum. Statutory responsibility in this matter lies with the...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: I announced a public consultation, inviting submissions from all persons and organisations, regarding the control of postering for elections and referenda on 23 July 2008. The closing date for receipt of comments, 15 September 2008, has now passed. Submissions are currently being collated and analysed in my Department, to inform my development of proposals which I expect to bring to...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: It is the Department's policy to ensure that all newly procured laptops have encryption software installed as standard. A rolling project to ensure that all existing stock is updated with the latest encryption technology is also underway. The Department's Information and Communications Technology User Policy sets out the general policy on access to and use of data held by the Department....

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Sep 2008)

John Gormley: To date in 2008, three laptops and one external hard drive have been reported stolen and have not been recovered. No sensitive or personal data was stored on any of these devices.