Results 6,061-6,080 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

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

Phil Hogan: I do not believe that an objective reading of the pyrite report would support the view expressed. The Pyrite Panel was set up on an independent basis to explore options for an agreed resolution to the problem of pyrite in private dwellings. While I have always stated that the State is not responsible for the pyrite problem, I believe it has a duty to assist homeowners in finding a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: During the debates on the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 I stated on a number of occasions that there is no question of applying the EPA’s 2009 Code of Practice for Wastewater Treatment for Single Houses to older houses. The 2012 Act specifies that the basic standard for treatment systems is that they do not create a risk to public health or the environment. The Water Services...

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

Phil Hogan: Standard Recommendation (SR) 21:2004+A1:2007 provides specific guidance on reducing the risk of reactive forms of pyrite being present in hardcore material for use under concrete floors in dwellings and buildings. It sets an example specification for unbound granular fill for use under concrete floors and paths. The example specification sets out verifiable performance criteria for hardcore....

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

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide 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...

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

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1119 and 1125 together. The Mountain Access Project is currently implementing a pilot Mountain Access Scheme at two locations, Mount Gable in Connemara and Carrauntuohill in Co. Kerry. There are 94 landholders associated with the pilot scheme at Mount Gable. The scope of the scheme at Carrauntuohill requires review as it is not feasible to progress a pilot...

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

Phil Hogan: Due to budgetary constraints it has not been possible to develop new walks under the existing Walks Scheme since December 2010. However there are now 40 trails covered by the Scheme, with annual payments of €1,910,000 to 1,805 landholders who maintain them. It is intended that any additional efficiencies and savings that can be generated in the scheme will be put towards priority walks...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Numbers (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: Details of the changes of the numbers and grades in Rural Recreation Section since March 2011, based on “Full Time Equivalents” are as follows: Date Principal Officer Assistant Principal Officer Higher Executive Officer Executive Officer Clerical Officer March 2011 0.05 0.9 1 1 2 September 2012 0.05 0.05 1 1 2 There have been staff changes at all grades other than HEO...

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

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1124 together. Due to the level of demand for grant assistance under the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2011, the budget allocation of €2.35m was expended by the end of November 2011; there were a significant number of grant applications received in December 2011 that my Department was unable to process pending the budget allocation for 2012. A...

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

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) administers the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I am informed by the LGMA that between 2 and 13 July, reminder letters in respect of 103,905 non-registered addresses were issued by local authorities nationwide, with a second tranche issuing between 7 and 20 August in respect of 65,212...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Application (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of due amounts is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures.In accordance with the Local Authority Accounting in Ireland Code of Practice and Accounting Regulations, issued by my Department in December 2009 under section 107 of...

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

Phil Hogan: I am aware of the financial position in Sligo County Council. I can confirm that I have received a copy of the report of the independent financial consultant engaged by Sligo County Council to review its financial position. I have also received a request from the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council to meet with a delegation from the Council to discuss the report’s findings. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Application (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are permitted, under statute, to charge fees in relation to the services they provide. Internationally, local services are administered by local authorities and financed by local service charges. In Ireland, local authorities are responsible for, among other services, public parks; libraries; open spaces and leisure amenities; planning and development; fire and emergency...

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

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1134 and 1135 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. PQ 49 on today’s order paper. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. It is also a matter for individual local authorities to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service Issues (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities. My Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management provides support through setting general policy, the provision of training...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The overall strategy of investment in water services is to ensure that the timing and scale of investment facilitates economic and other development, achieves compliance with statutory requirements and promotes environmental sustainability objectives. The main vehicle for achieving these objectives for public domestic water supplies is the multi-annual Water Services Investment Programme. ...

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

Phil Hogan: Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group water schemes, group sewerage schemes and small public water and sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, approval and prioritisation of individual schemes for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fuel Laundering (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Office of the Revenue Commissioners has responsibility for the detection and investigation of illegal diesel laundries. It is clear from recent seizures that this illegal activity has grown significantly in recent years. A by-product from these illegal laundries is a hazardous waste sludge which tends to be abandoned or dumped by the side of the road. Local authorities have...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Capital Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested, insofar as my Department is concerned, is set out in the following table. (Land acquisition in respect of the main programmes funded by my Department is a function of the local authorities.) Year Purpose of Land Purchase Amount 2010 Initial payment for Purchase of Lands for Atmospheric Monitoring Station on Valentia Island €33,917

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Amendments Nos. 1 and 24 are technical provisions in sections 1 and 21. It is fitting we are back discussing amendments to a Bill that was commenced in the Seanad on Second Stage earlier this year, on 2 February. We have come full circle. Most Members will be familiar with the main provisions that were already contained within the Bill, having considered them in some detail here in the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Amendments Nos. 2 and 3 will make the organisation and structure of political parties more transparent. These amendments will require that information on what are called the accounting units of political parties be included on the register of political parties. These are the local branches of parties. This information will then be made publicly available. These will address the...