Results 6,281-6,300 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Both the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences are on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the respective liability date to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, that person is required to declare that liability by completing the relevant declaration form and to pay the charge by the due date. There is...

Written Answers — Tidy Towns Committees: Tidy Towns Committees (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The guiding principle of TidyTowns is volunteerism and self-help, using one's own skills and resources to improve one's own environment. Committees are usually comprised of local volunteers representing the local area. As with any volunteer committee intending to expand in their area, I would advise that they advertise in their local paper, on notice boards, in schools, libraries,...

Written Answers — Non-Principal Private Residence Charge: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of the charge on non-principal private residences (NPPR). The charge is set at €200 and is being levied and collected by local authorities. The Act places the onus on an owner of a residential property which is situated in the State to assess his or her liability...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The amounts paid by building contractors and developers to companies providing structural guarantees, including amounts paid to HomeBond, are a matter between the parties concerned and not one in which the local authority or my Department had any involvement. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide details of the amounts paid by contractors or developers in respect of the structural...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 183 together. I have recently received the report of the independent pyrite panel and I am currently considering its content and recommendations in relation to providing options for a resolution for homeowners dealing with pyrite problems. It is my intention to publish the report shortly, following its consideration by Government.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: While the operation of the motor tax system is kept under regular review, I have no plans currently to introduce the collection of motor tax through the post office network. Under existing arrangements, motor tax is payable in person or by post via motor tax offices in twenty nine local authorities. It is also payable online at any time, with some 55% of vehicle owners who are eligible to...

Written Answers — Non-Principal Private Residence Charge: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. The Act places the onus on an owner of a residential property which is situated in the State to assess his or...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 864 of 18 April 2012, 273 of 8 May 2012 and 99 of 21 June 2012, and Sligo County Council's decision to engage an independent financial consultant to prepare a report on the financial position of the Council. The report is intended to inform and advise the Council members and management on possible ways forward in dealing with the challenging financial...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Accordingly, the detailed information sought is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Local Authority Management: Local Authority Management (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) is the organisation through which senior managers in local government provide sectoral leadership across business and programme areas. The CCMA works closely with Government Departments and other key stakeholders to engage on and to advance key public service delivery issues. The operation of the CCMA, as such, and duties of its Chairperson,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 in response to the financial crisis. 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....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Electoral (Amendment) (No.2) Bill is a short but important Bill to enable the electoral register to be used for selecting citizens for the constitutional convention. When consideration was being given to the establishment of the convention, the Government decided there should be 100 members, of which 66 would be ordinary citizens. As set out in the resolution made in the House earlier...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Regional criteria will be applied.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Senator Barrett was anxious about Belmullet.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Senators for their contributions. This is a short Bill with the sole purpose of providing in statute for the use of the electoral register in the selection of members of the public for the work of the constitutional convention. It is a Bill to facilitate the operational aspects of implementing this proposal to allow ordinary citizens to participate in the constitutional...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I will not go into that point now. I have tried to get information to address the information deficit. An expert advisory group will be established to assist the convention in its work and give specialist guidance on a variety of issue. Back-up support will be available for the people from Belmullet or from Stoneybatter to be able to understand the issues that are before them, to give them...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Members will, in the first instance, be identified using professional polling techniques by an independent polling company. The electoral register will then be used to verify them and they will have an option to decline the offer because it does not suit everyone to get involved in this work. They will have an opportunity to decline if they wish and I agree with Senator Bradford on that....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Senator Walsh fixed a good bit in his time but I will not go into that historical pattern.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government is keen to have the diaspora involved. I understand that the embassies and the community groups abroad shall be briefed with as much information as possible to allow them to do so. A website will be provided to accept submissions and to give as much information as possible to people across the world. We have tried to comply with what we presented the people with in the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: If it happened in Ballinasloe then it has happened in a lot of other places. It is unacceptable. We are examining ways to give certainty, including the one that was mentioned, to assist the process by using data that is available from other sources. I thank Senators for their contributions.