Results 5,801-5,820 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (9 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 recently submitted its report to me 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Nitrates Action Programme Review (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 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 advance of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Provision (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Dublin Water Supply Scheme (Long Term Water Source) is included as a scheme to advance through planning under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013. Consultants working for Dublin City Council have examined the feasibility of taking water from the River Shannon as a means of providing long-term security of supply in the Dublin region. A Preliminary...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Provision (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together. The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment and in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Cavan Sewerage , Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Contract is included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a contract to start in the programme period. The Preliminary Report for the Cavan Sewerage Scheme is currently under examination in my Department and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Provision (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together. As part of the proposed water sector reforms, it is envisaged that Irish Water would, following the eventual transfer of the relevant functions from local authorities, be responsible for the bulk provision of water to group water schemes supplied from a public supply. The future approaches to the supervision of the group water sector...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: It is a matter for each local authority to manage the operation of schemes in their areas from within the grant allocations provided. Allocations to local authorities are monitored and reviewed on an on-going basis.  My Department monitors expenditure under all schemes and any savings resulting from an under-spend by local authorities are, where possible, made available for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Seniors Alert Scheme supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards monitored personal alarms and other items of security and safety equipment. Applications are made through the applicant’s local community or voluntary group. An application was received on 5 October 2012 on behalf of the person referred to in the question. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have recently published the report of the independent Pyrite Panel. The Pyrite Report recommends that consideration be given to providing an exemption from the proposed property tax, for a set period, for dwellings where damage from pyritic heave has been proved by testing. While the Government will have regard to this recommendation as appropriate in the context of the proposed local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: Following receipt of the pyrite report at the end of June 2012, I met with the key stakeholders, the Construction Industry Federation, Irish Concrete Federation, HomeBond, Irish Insurance Federation and the Irish Banking Federation, with a view to securing a voluntary industry led solution for homeowners. I asked the stakeholders to give urgent consideration to the relevant recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: Following a recent public consultation process I am currently 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 the Building Regulations have been met in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Programme for Government Implementation (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: In accordance with the Public Service Management Act 1997, my Department has published a Statement of Strategy 2011-2014, which is available on the Department’s website – A full list of Programme for Government commitments for which my Department has lead responsibility is included as an Appendix to the Statement of Strategy. The Strategy is fully aligned with the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes, designed to meet the accommodation needs of Travellers, rests with individual housing authorities. My Department’s role is to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 434 together. The table shows, as of 5 of October 2012, in respect of each county and city council, the total number of properties registered, with payment, for the household charge and the total amount of payments received. Household Charge Payments and Paid Registrations by Local Authority Date: 05/10/2012 08:30 Levy Period Year: 2012 - -...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Exemptions (9 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 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: Rural Development Policy (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 166 of 4 October 2012 which sets out the position in regard to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department is currently progressing the implementation of the recommendations in the pyrite report and, as part of the implementation process will consider what role, if any, that the Housing Finance Agency may have in assisting homeowners who have purchased homes under the affordable homes scheme. However, it should be noted that the Housing Finance Agency does not provide retail loan...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Scheme Grants (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 requires the owners of premises connected to a domestic wastewater treatment system to register their systems with their local authority. Homeowners who are connected to a public sewer or who have no treatment system are not required to register. However, in the latter case, homeowners should be aware that section 3 of the Water Pollution Act 1977...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (9 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: Under the Electoral Act 1992, returning officers are responsible for the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations. No directive has issued to returning officers in relation to reducing the number of polling stations. However, I understand the returning officers have had discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform about the need to achieve savings where...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Application (4 Oct 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. 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 recently submitted its report to me and proposals will be brought to Government as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the...