Results 6,721-6,740 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: General purpose grants to local authorities from the local government fund are based partly on a needs and resources assessment, which is designed to respond over time to fluctuations in income and expenditure. Local authorities receive income from a range of sources, including rates, charges for goods and services, specific State grants and general purpose grants from the local government...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: In accordance with its environmental policy statement, my Department is fully committed to the effective management of waste including prevention, reduction and recycling. This is a critical element of our ongoing accreditation to ISO 14001:1996 which we achieved for our headquarters offices in 2003. We are working towards achieving this certification for all our offices and in the meantime a...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume that the question refers to polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, which may be present in transformers. A management plan for PCBs was published by the Environmental Protection Agency in August 2002, which outlines the strategy to be adopted in the managing and disposal of PCBs and PCB-contaminated equipment.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department actively promotes the conservation of fuel and energy through part L of the national building regulations and the related technical guidance document L. Progressively higher thermal performance and insulation standards introduced under part L since 1992 have significantly reduced the energy required, from all sources, to heat space and water in buildings. For example, it is...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 95 and 174 of 9 February 2005. A copy of the report on the operation of the scheme is available in the Oireachtas Library. Following the decision of the committee for performance awards on the awards payable for 2003, a direction issued to each local authority on 27 July 2004. Payment of individual awards is a matter for each local authority concerned.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: An informal working group comprising officials of my Department and of the city and county managers' association is currently examining ways to streamline procedures for dealing with water services projects being funded under my Departments water services investment programme. I expect the group to report before the summer.

Written Answers — Departmental Credit Cards: Departmental Credit Cards (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Total expenditure in relation to the 180 transactions carried out on my Department's credit cards in the period June 2002 to end December 2004 amounted to €78,434. Transactions primarily cover travelling subsistence and other accommodation costs, but also items such as entertainment and the purchase of goods on line, including technical publications and IT software where payment by invoice...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department would not have information in relation to consultancy contracts, commitments or engagements with any political parties. The following is the other information requested:

Written Answers — Tendering Procedures: Tendering Procedures (17 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: The procurement of appropriate secure storage accommodation for electronic voting machines and ancillary equipment is the responsibility of returning officers, who are statutorily charged with conducting elections and referenda. My Department has written to returning officers requesting information in relation to, inter alia, the procurement of such accommodation.

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (16 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: In February 2000, Cork County Council submitted an application for approval in principle for a branch library in Youghal. However, as this proposal did not form part of the already determined 1999-2002 public library capital expenditure programme, it could not be considered for funding. Given the rating afforded to the project in the council's submission of September 2001, it was not included...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (16 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Under motor tax law, the basis of assessment of motor tax is governed by the construction and use of a vehicle. The level of motor tax determined relates to vehicles and not directly to the users or drivers of such vehicles. Relevant concessions for disabled drivers, including exemption from motor tax, are contained in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I understand that the Glenroe scheme is one of 20 group water schemes in County Limerick for which new water treatment facilities are being procured under a single design-build-operate contract. A single contractor will design and construct the treatment facilities and operate them under contract to the participating groups for a 20 year period. Under the rural water programme, which is...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (16 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. Under the relevant provisions of the Act, a proposal to establish a town council is a matter for the local community in the first...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (16 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: The organisation named is one of the nominating bodies prescribed under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 in regard to appointments to membership of An Bord Pleanála. The organisation is one of a number of bodies on the nominating panel which represents "voluntary bodies, bodies having charitable objects and bodies that, in the opinion of the Minister, have a special interest or...

Written Answers — Seachtain na Gaeilge: Seachtain na Gaeilge (16 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I gcoitinne tá sé mar pholasaí ag mo Roinn seirbhís tré Ghaeilge a thairiscint dóibh siúd gur mian leo é sin a bheith acu. I rith Seachtain na Gaeilge beidh mo Roinn ag cur in iúl do bhaill fóirne na himeachtaí atáá n-eagrú timpeall na tíre. Freisin, beidh an Roinn ag spreagadh daoine an deis a thógáil an Ghaeilge a labhairt. Maidir leis seo cuirfear roinnt cáipéisí ar...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (16 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Save in exceptional circumstances, owners of bog or turbary in raised bogs designated for conservation are being allowed to continue domestic cutting on their plots for up to ten years. For bogs such asCarrownagoppul bog, which was statutorily proposed for designation prior to 1999, people will be allowed to continue to cut until 2008. My Department will then review whether there are...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: In July 1996, my Department issued guidelines for planning authorities on telecommunications antennae and support structures. Their purpose was to assist planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, operators of mobile telecommunications services and the public by providing guidance on dealing with telecommunications masts and base stations within the planning system. The guidelines advise that...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (15 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: The present position regarding office accommodation for my Department's decentralised office in Kilkenny is that the Office of Public Works is evaluating a number of options in Kilkenny and this process has yet to be finalised. A total of 77 applications had been received at the central applications facility, CAF, priority cut-off date on 7 September 2004 in respect of the 62 posts to be...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (15 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: The Government published the national spatial strategy on 28 November 2002 as a 20-year planning framework designed to enable every part of the country to achieve its potential. The principal aims of the NSS are to achieve more balanced regional development through a better spread of economic activity, employment and population growth, energise the potential of all urban and rural areas with...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Section 25 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 provides for the approval by the Minister of planning schemes in relation to areas of the docklands. Any development by the authority which is consistent with such a scheme, or any development by a person other than the authority that is certified by the authority to be consistent with such a scheme, is exempted development for...