Results 5,601-5,620 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: In the context of implementing the Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation which I announced in January 2012, my Department is in on-going contact with all Departments concerned through the cross-Departmental structure that supports the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Green Economy. In line with the Programme, I will be making heads of a Climate...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: RAPID Programme (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 50 on today’s Order Paper.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: As of 30 September 2012 there were 226.65 (whole time equivalent) local authority staff on salary scales the maximum points of which are in excess of €100,000. The grades concerned are City and County Managers, Assistant Managers and Directors of Service. Information regarding potential cost savings which could arise if these salaries were reduced is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Inspections (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: Inspections of domestic waste water treatment systems under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 will commence in 2013. Where a treatment system is found to be polluting and an advisory notice requiring that the problem is rectified is issued by the water services authority, the remediation work to be carried out will depend on the specific problem identified, the extent of the risk to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: An independently-chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group was established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable local property tax to replace the household charge. The Group submitted its report and proposals will be brought to Government as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the exact details of implementation taking into account...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 106 together. My Department continues to work closely with the Office of Public Works to ensure effective implementation of the Optimising Power @ Work2 campaign at all of its office locations. As part of the programme a number of significant energy saving initiatives have been implemented in my Department to drive down energy usage. These initiatives...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The resolution of problems arising between building owners and builders is a matter for the parties concerned, namely the building owner, the relevant developer and the builder’s insurers. Where the construction of a building is the subject of a contract between the client and the builder enforcement is a civil matter. Enforcement of the building regulations is the responsibility of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 40 of 18 September 2012. The position is unchanged. Detailed cost estimates for the metering programme have been prepared by my Department. However, it would be inappropriate to publish these cost estimates in advance of the competitive procurement process.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Remuneration (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: All matters relating to the rates of pay of civil servants are dealt with at central level by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. However, there would be gross savings of approx. €500,000 per annum, inclusive of Employer’s PRSI, if salaries in my Department were capped at €100,000 per annum.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: In the context of the broader public service reform process, the local government sector has been at the forefront in driving greater efficiencies and securing financial savings. The first two annual progress reports under “Croke Park” from the Local Government Sector identified very significant savings of c€450m. Payroll savings have been delivered mainly through staff...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Directives (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 405 to 408, inclusive, together. In September 2012 I announced extensions to the periods for the application of chemical fertiliser and organic manures produced on farms, in direct response to the challenges farmers were facing as a result of the very difficult weather conditions this summer.  I moved quickly to give certainty to farmers in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Taxation (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax receipts are paid into the Local Government Fund. The following table contains net income figures from motor tax to the Fund in 2010 and 2011. YEAR NET MOTOR TAX RECEIPTS € 2010 1,021,366,254 2011 1,011,640,768

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409, 410 and 444 together. I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 56, 61, 64, 80, 91, 92 and 98 on today’s order paper, which sets out the position in relation to the Action Programme for Effective Local Government, which was published on 16 October 2012, including action proposed to strengthen the functions of local authorities and their members and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: Funding of €314 m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Hazardous Waste Sites (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department continues to support the interim works at the facility. In 2011, I provided a total of €5.56m in funding, while to date in 2012, a further €1.60m from the Environment Fund has been provided in support of the costs arising in supporting the work of the Agency at this facility. The funding is supporting a detailed site investigation at the facility. Following...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities, and any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department. In this regard , my Department has not received a request to sanction posts at heritage and culture centres in the South-West Region.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415, 416 and 417 together. The Local Government Management Agency is administering the Household Charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I understand, from data provided by the Agency, that as of 18 October 2012 the number of Household Charge waivers which have been registered is 21,140. As the Household Charge...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together. Up to 30 September 2012, the latest date for which information is available, the position is as follows: Agency / Board Name of Appointee (Chairperson highlighted) Date of Appointment Remuneration Position advertised An Bord Pleanála Dr. Mary Kelly (Chairperson) 29/08/2011 PPC Rate €189,474 (non-PPC Rate...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voting Rights (23 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Dáil and Seanad passed resolutions in July approving the setting up of a Constitutional Convention. The issues to be considered by the Convention include reducing the voting age to 17. I will bring forward proposals for change to electoral law in light of any decision for change which may arise from that process.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge (23 Oct 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 Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared...