Results 5,061-5,080 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department has no function in regard to the matter outlined in the question. The issue of liability in particular circumstances would be a matter for determination by the parties themselves and/or their legal representatives.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Finances (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 373 of 4 December which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Workforce Planning Group was made up as follows: Barry Quinlan: Principal Officer, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Daniel McLoughlin: Manager – Westmeath County Council Hubert Kearns: Manager – Sligo County Council Conn Murray: Manager – Limerick City and County Council. Peter Caulfield: Director of Service – Fingal County...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Efficiency Review Implementation Group was established on 29 April 2011. The Implementation Group is independently chaired by Mr. Pat McLoughlin (Chief Executive, Irish Payments Services Organisation, and former chairperson of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group). In addition to the Chair, the members of the Implementation Group are as follows: -Mr. Des...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The total number of staff employed by Sligo County Council on 31 December 2011 on a whole time equivalent basis (WTE) was 488.74. This represents a reduction of 127 WTE or 21% from the June 2008 figure of 615.9. The most recent figure available, for end September 2012, shows a further reduction to 462.38 WTE, indicating that staff numbers at the Council have reduced by 25% since 2008. My...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Sector Pay (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Pay policy in the public service is dealt with at central level by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: One City and County Manager has been appointed, following an open competition by the Public Appointments Service, since 27 July 2012 as indicated in the following table. Local Authority Manager Date of Appointment Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council Mr. Conn Murray 15/08/12 In accordance with Section 145 (4) of the Local Government Act 2001 where a position of manager...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department sanctions funding under a variety of capital programmes in the housing, water services, environmental, fire services, libraries and other areas; the relevant projects are implemented primarily by local authorities who act as contracting authorities in most instances. It is the responsibility of the relevant contracting authority to ensure that procurement guidelines are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: RAPID Programme (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: A reduction of €2 million in administration costs in RAPID current funding for 2013 is one of a number of measures which will be necessary to adhere to my Department’s current expenditure ceiling for the coming year. I will, however, be providing for capital expenditure of €2 million for RAPID projects in 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: European Council Meetings (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: In my capacity as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I sit on the European Council of Environment Ministers. In the period from 9 March 2011 to date in 2012 , the European Council of Environment Ministers met formally on eight occasions and informally on four other occasions. I attended all of these meetings. The dates of these meetings and a record of Ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Athenry Sewerage Scheme - Network and Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Contracts - are included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as two contracts to start during the lifetime of the Programme, at an estimated cost of over €11.6 million. My Department approved Galway County Council’s Design Review Report for the scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (18 Dec 2012)

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 of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Household Charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Taxation (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans currently to introduce a monthly payment option for motor tax. The current half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge to cover the higher administrative costs involved in processing such applications. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-year and quarterly vehicle licences is in the region of €20m. Were a monthly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together. The amount of money spent to date on the Seniors Alert Scheme since 2004 is just over €23.5 million. Funding of €1.15 million is being allocated for the scheme in 2013. My Department is making some changes to the scheme to ensure that it remains targeted at the most vulnerable.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have received a copy of the audit report on the accounts of Sligo County Council for the year ended 31 December 2011. My Department has written to the County Manager in relation to the audit report and a reply is awaited. Under the Local Government Act 2001, it is a matter for each local authority to prepare and adopt a balanced annual budget for the coming year.Local authorities are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Following Government approval, I published the action programme for effective local government, Putting People First, which, inter alia, addresses the alignment of local and community development with local government. This involves an enhanced role for local government in local and community development and seeks to create greater efficiencies in structural arrangements and service delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Management and enforcement responses to litter problems, including defacement by graffiti, are a primary responsibility of each local authority to be met from their existing resources. I am well aware of the major blight on communities caused by graffiti. To this end, and in order to support efforts to tackle graffiti , m y Department provides funding to local authorities under the...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I hope Deputy McConalogue will make a better contribution than the previous speaker.

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: In preparing for my contribution on this debate, I reflected on the passage of the legislation which gave effect to the household charge one year ago. Dire predictions were made at that time by certain Deputies, some of whom augured or even advocated mass civil disobedience. Nobody in any government of which I am aware would desire to introduce a new tax, but it has to be done if we are to...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The need for it arose due to the economic and fiscal difficulties which we inherited. People were coming in the door from the troika and the Members of the then Government did not even know they were on their way. This is the serious matter we have inherited.