Results 6,281-6,300 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Regulatory Authorities: Regulatory Authorities (19 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: In line with the definition of a "regulatory body" set out in the report — Bodies in Ireland with Regulatory Powers — published by the Department of the Taoiseach in February 2007, information in relation to the operating budgets of regulators and regulatory authorities related to my Department is set out below. In relation to the Department's regulatory functions, operating costs...

Written Answers — North-South Co-operation: North-South Co-operation (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: My Department is undertaking a number of ongoing actions to promote co-operation on North South environmental issues. These are outlined below. There is a high level of North/ South co-ordination in relation to water quality matters, particularly in context of the EU Water Framework Directive. The North/South Working Group on Water Quality was set up by the North South Ministerial Council...

Written Answers — Electoral Boundaries: Electoral Boundaries (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Work is underway on the drafting of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 which will, inter alia, provide for revision of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies in accordance with the recommendations of the Constituency Commission which reported in October 2007. The Bill will also provide for the establishment of future Constituency Commissions on publication by CSO of the preliminary...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I published for public consultation the Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas on 10 February. The public consultation period is for 12 weeks and closes at 4pm on Tuesday 6 May 2008. All comments and submissions on the draft guidelines will be welcome within the consultation period.

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The National Development Plan provides for EU and Exchequer investment of some €170 million to facilitate the ongoing closure of the urban and village renewal measure of the Regional Operational Programmes 2000-2006, and to support the implementation of a new urban renewal programme for the period to 2013. I intend shortly to announce details of this programme.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I am providing some €999.2m in general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund to local authorities for 2008. These grants are my contribution to meet the difference between the cost to local authorities of providing an acceptable level of day to day services and the income available to them from local sources and from specific grants. The amount being made available for these grants...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The information requested in the question is set out in the attached tables. General purpose grants from the Local Government Fund are my contribution to meet the difference between the cost to local authorities of providing an acceptable level of day to day services and the income available to them from local sources and from specific grants. These grants are allocated having regard to a...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together. The Ennis Town Water Supply (Treatment) Scheme is being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 and will provide a new water treatment plant for the town. I understand that the scheme is now under construction. Special Local Government Fund assistance has been made available in 2006 and 2007 to...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Under the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations 1998, as amended by the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 2001, a supplier of sewage sludge for use in agriculture is required to notify the local authority in whose functional area the sludge is to be used of details of the quantities of sludge produced, the composition...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The combined Adare and Patrickswell Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2008. I approved Limerick County Council's proposals to proceed separately with the Patrickswell element of the scheme in October 2007 because of potential land acquisition delays in Adare. I understand that the Council is now...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: In law the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In working to compile the Register for 2007/8, which was in force at the general election last year, local authorities undertook and completed the most...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (14 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: In regard to waste collection charges the position is that the determination of such charges is a matter for the waste service provider, whether a local authority or a private service provider. I understand that the cost pressures on schools are taken into account by the Department of Education and Science in determining the levels of annual increases in the capitation grants paid to schools...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Grant aid of €2.049m in respect of 21 skateparks was announced by my predecessor in November 2005. Local authorities drew down grant aid in respect of three of these projects in 2006 and a further nine in 2007. A total of €1.065m in respect of nine projects remained to be drawn down at the end of 2007.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The information requested in relation to my Department and agencies under its aegis is set out in the following table. No. of Posts to be Decentralised No. of Posts Moved to Location No. Assigned to Posts but Not Moved No. of Staff Assigned who are New Recruits No. staying in Dublin Assigned to Dublin Posts Department: Wexford 270 40 58 45 16 Kilkenny 62 0 25 25 New Ross 125 0...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: My Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 to 2009 includes 300 projects with an estimated value of €2.3bn to improve the extent and quality of our public water supply infrastructure. The Programme is available in the Oireachtas Library. The Environmental Protection Agency's recent publication "The Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland — A Report for the Years...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 401, 403, 405 and 406 together. The information requested is set out in the table. The bodies concerned are still in existence. Name of Body Established Purpose and Role Board Members Expenditure by Year ENFO — Information on the Environment 1990 Provides an environmental information service and promotes environmental awareness N/A €705,639...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Meteorological Service, later renamed Met Éireann, was established in December 1936 and, since its transfer to my Department in 2002, is an integral part of the Department. It has no Board of Directors. Funding provision is made within my Department's Vote, the details of which are published in the Estimates Volumes for the Department — copies of which are available in the Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Section 2 of the Referendum Act 1998 provides that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may establish a Referendum Commission not earlier than the date on which a Bill proposing to amend the Constitution is initiated in the Dáil. It also provides that any such Commission is chaired by a former judge of the Supreme Court or High Court or a judge of the High Court,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I have had no application for funding from local authorities for community garden allotment schemes.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (13 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 to 413, inclusive, together. The rebalancing of VRT and motor tax on cars registered from 1 July 2008 is designed to lower the levels of CO2 emissions from the use of private cars. It is generally accepted that a diesel-powered car has a lower level of CO2 emissions than its petrol equivalent. While historically diesel cars have had higher emissions of...