Results 5,441-5,460 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Sector Pay (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together. Information regarding potential cost savings which could arise in the circumstances outlined in the questions is not available in my Department. On the issue of savings, some €830 million has been saved since 2008 in local authorities' spending, and local authority staffing numbers are down 23% to approximately 28,600.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The Charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. Collection of the Non Principal Private Residence Charge is ongoing for 2012 but, as of 7 November,€68,082,800...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environment Fund (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Copies of the Environment Fund Annual Accounts, up to and including 2010, are available from the Oireachtas library and are also on my Department’s website . The Comptroller and Auditor General is currently auditing the 2011 Environment Fund Accounts and once concluded, the 2011 Accounts will be published.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Environmental standards in relation to the collection of waste, and their enforcement, are the responsibility of local authorities and are governed by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 as amended by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2008. The treatment and management of waste material is subject to a registration and permitting system by...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Information on expenditure provisions for my Department in 2012, and expenditure ceilings for 2013 , as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are set out in the table below. Detailed gross and net expenditure provisions in this regard will be published as part of Budget 2013. Revised Estimates for Public Services 2012 (€m) Comprehensive Review of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The State Agencies under the aegis of my Department are as follows: - An Bord Pleanála - Dublin Docklands Development Authority - Environmental Protection Agency - Housing Finance Agency - Irish Water Safety - Housing Sustainable Communities Agency - Local Government Management Agency - Private Residential Tenancies Board - Radiological Protection Institute Ireland - Western Development...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: In its report the Pyrite Panel recommended a categorisation of dwellings affected by pyrite to determine the appropriate approach to be adopted in establishing the prioritisation of remediation works. I believe the categorisation methodology recommended by the Pyrite Panel offers a pragmatic and sensible approach to the remediation of pyrite damaged dwellings. However, the approach...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 assign supervisory powers to the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of public water supplies and assign the responsibility to the water services authorities (the county and city councils) for the monitoring of water supplies within their functional areas. The Regulations prescribe the quality standards to be applied...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Plastic Bag Levy (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Environmental enforcement inspections in relation to the plastic bag levy are undertaken by local authorities. While my Department does not collect the data sought in the question, local authorities provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with annual data on the total number of environmental inspections carried out, including those relating to the plastic bag levy. The table below...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Sector Pensions (8 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes a range of political reform measures a number of which are in my area of responsibility as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Many of the measures have already been implemented through legislation enacted in 2011 to provide for a reduction in the number of TDs, reduced spending limits at Presidential elections and time limits...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Consultancy Contracts (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 to 130, inclusive, together. The information sought is not readily available in my Department. Its compilation by the Local Government Management Agency, established in August 2012 and nationalising the functions of the Local Government Management Services and Computer Services Boards, would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The role of the Finance and Audit Committee, as part of the on-going systematic review and development of the control environment and governance procedures within the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), is to promote good accounting practice, better and more informed decision-making and continued focus on regularity, propriety and value for money throughout the LGMA. The Committee...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) was established in August 2012 under the Local Government (Corporate Bodies) Acts 1971 to 2012. The Agency rationalises the functions of the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board in line with the Public Service Reform Plan published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The number of persons employed in Kilkenny County Council in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 to date is set out in a table on a whole time equivalent basis (WTE). Kilkenny County Council Permanent WTE Temporary WTE Total December 2008 564.50 51.17 615.67 December 2009 550.55 17.49 568.04 December 2010 532.75 12.49 545.24 December 2011 523.49 5.6 529.09...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Legislative Programme (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question 700 of 6 November 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of the Non Principal Private Residence Charge. The Charge is set at €200 and is being levied and collected by local authorities. It is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes, self-catering accommodation and other non-principal...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Following an extensive public consultation process undertaken earlier this year, I am now in the process of finalising the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012 for signature into law. The new regulations will provide, among other things, for the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Service Contracts (7 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Issues concerning compliance with procurement legislation and guidance are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The procurement of products or services by a local authority is a matter for the authority concerned. Notwithstanding this, guidelines by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) of the Department Public Expenditure and Reform apply...

Topical Issue Debate: White Collar Crime (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Minister attaches high priority to the investigation of white collar crime and he has taken concrete steps in the short time since being appointed Minister to ensure the Garda Síochána has the legislative and other tools to deal with this effectively. I also indicated that the latest Central Statistics Office data do not reflect a decline in the effectiveness of Garda...