Results 5,721-5,740 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I have approved an allocation of €6.47m to Donegal County Council under the 2008 Rural Water Programme, of which €0.36m relates to the provision of new group water schemes. The Rural Water Programme priority continues to focus on addressing water quality issues in existing privately sourced group schemes and the need to bring these schemes into compliance with the Drinking Water...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The information in respect of my Department is set out in the following tabular statement. Year Operational Cost of Payroll System (Staffing & Maintenance) â'¬ 2004 347,411 2005 333,765 2006 415,462 2007 421,093 2008 (to 30 April) 59,126 *My Department does not hold information along the lines sought in respect of bodies under its aegis.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The Delvin Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative measure of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €4.3m. I understand that Westmeath County Council is preparing Contract Documents for a revised scheme to serve a population equivalent of 2,500 as approved by my Department.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 592 and 616 together. The Programme for Government set out a commitment to introduce a scheme of support for the replacement and upgrading of septic tanks older than fifteen years with newer systems. My Department is currently considering the terms, conditions and resource implications that may be appropriate to take forward this commitment.

Written Answers — Car Free Day: Car Free Day (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: A total of €131,500 was provided in 2007 by my Department in support of various local authority initiatives to mark mobility week. A programme of activities was organised by both Cork City Council and Dublin City Council, including events such as walking and cycling tours, and exhibitions. Over 500 cyclists took part in the biggest bicycle parade ever in Cork, which was followed by a...

Written Answers — Biodiversity Awareness Campaign: Biodiversity Awareness Campaign (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The 'Notice Nature' biodiversity campaign commenced in 2007 and expenditure on the campaign amounted to €645,000 last year. Further expenditure of €266,000 is envisaged for 2008. As the campaign is still running, there has been no final audit of its outcome. However, my Department is working closely with the consultants responsible for the design and delivery of the campaign to ensure...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is administered by local authorities and is part of a revised framework of grant aid, introduced in November 2007, to assist older people and people with a disability with their accommodation needs. The Scheme, which amalgamates the provisions of the old Essential Repairs Grant Scheme and the existing Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme (SHAE),...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: As stated in the reply to Question No. 261 of 24 April 2008, An Taisce is an independent, voluntary, non-governmental organisation and in general terms it is a matter for such organisations to regulate their own affairs, without Government involvement. I have no role or responsibility in relation to the operation of An Taisce. When submitting observations on planning applications, prescribed...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The provision of a fire service in a fire authority's functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of the individual fire authority under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No.2) Regulations, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency is the supervisory authority for public water supplies. In accordance with the Regulations, the Agency has notified local authorities, including Galway County Council, of supplies where detailed profiling is required from source to consumer to ensure that water provided to the...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I understand that the Chief State Solicitor's Office have raised a number of pre-contract issues with the vendor's solicitor which must be resolved before the sale can be completed.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The information requested for the years 2005-07 is set out in the following table. Table: Amount of rents and number of tenancies [private and voluntary sector] funded by local authorities through the Rental Accommodation Scheme 2005-2007. County Councils (including Borough and Town Councils) 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2007 â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ Carlow 15,643 28 171,516 46 Cavan ...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: This matter, in so far as it concerns the operational programme for fisheries, is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My Department has been consulted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the measures necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive in the operation of fisheries and...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 430 of 8 April 2008 in which I stated that these efficiency initiatives are being implemented by local authorities in the context of ongoing management and maintenance of lighting. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Air Transport: Air Transport (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 990 of 11 December 2007 in which I indicated that I am developing a carbon offsetting scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. Work on the scheme is at an advanced stage and I expect to announce details shortly.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Arrangements for the establishment of the Commission are under consideration.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 607 together. Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 the determination...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Under the Waste Management Act, 1996 all major waste management facilities are subject to a stringent licensing system which is the statutory responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Agency's role is to ensure the application of high environmental standards with regard to the development, operation, closure and aftercare of such facilities. While this licensing system is...

Written Answers — Sustainable Development Strategy: Sustainable Development Strategy (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Substantial additional resources have been made available to Comhar from the Environment Fund in 2008. This will enhance the capacity of Comhar to undertake additional research and policy analysis in line with its mandate and work programme. Arrangements for giving effect to the commitment to establish Comhar as a body within NESDO are being given careful consideration to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 551 of 4 March 2008 in which I indicated that my Department is currently examining options to strengthen legislation on noise pollution, with a view to meeting the Programme for Government commitment as a matter of priority. I intend to consult with key stakeholders, including local authorities, and will announce my preferred approach as soon as possible.