Results 6,961-6,980 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department has examined the new pension terms for Secretaries General to assess how they may be applied to City and County Managers. In this regard, my Department has submitted detailed proposals to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which are under consideration. The implementation of new pension terms for Managers will require legislation.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: It is not possible in the time available to provide the information requested. My Department has responsibility in respect of some of the activities of Partnership/Local Development Companies. Information relevant to the activities for which my Department is responsible will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Property Tax: Property Tax (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: An independently chaired Inter-Departmental expert Group has been established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax. The Group will complete its work and make recommendations to me shortly. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the full property tax as soon as possible. It will then...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: Restrictions in relation to the application and spreading of slurry, generally referred to as 'closed periods', are set out in The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. These Regulations transpose the Nitrates Directive and are the basis of Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: On 15 December 2011, I published the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill. In developing this Bill I have had particular regard to recommendations made in the Moriarty Tribunal Report, published in March 2011. The Bill has passed all stages in the Seanad and is currently before the Dáil at second stage. It will, when enacted, fundamentally change the way politics is funded and...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 441, 444 to 447, inclusive, 463, 468 and 488 together. The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: Donegal County Council has completed its countywide watermains rehabilitation strategy required as part of its water conservation programme. This strategy identifies specific defective water supply networks requiring rehabilitation and/or replacement. Work on three high priority contracts is already underway and is being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. The administration costs, including those in relation advertising, are a matter for the LGMA and the county and city councils. My Department is represented on the Household Charge Project Board which is overseeing the household charge...

Written Answers — Property Tax: Property Tax (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: An independently chaired Inter-Departmental expert Group has been established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax. The Group otherwise comprises representatives at senior official level from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Building Control Act 2007, among other things, provides for the registration of persons entitled to use the titles of Architect and Building Surveyor. A variety of routes to registration are provided for in relation to both registers having regard to the academic qualifications, professional attainment and practical experience of prospective candidates for registration. Depending on...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, set out the legislation underpinning the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences respectively. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property in the State on the liability date of 1 January is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March, unless...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 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. Interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the Courts. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides for a number of exemptions and waivers from...

Written Answers — Burial Grounds: Burial Grounds (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 483 of 24 April 2012. The position is unchanged in that my Department will consider the basis for the provision in question and determine whether a review would be beneficial.

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 and 459 together. The Central Bank, acting on behalf of the Minister for Finance, engaged PwC (Price Waterhouse Coopers) to carry out inspections of dormant accounts over a two year period. Under the Dormant Accounts Act 2001, as amended, and the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003, the Central Bank may authorise inspectors for the purpose of...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 460, 475 and 483 together. As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, launched by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows: Category one, where the development is...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, set out the legislation underpinning the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences respectively. Application of the legislation in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority. Interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal...

Written Answers — Household Charge: Household Charge (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. The proceeds from the household charge received by the LGMA are being paid into the Local Government Fund. A total of €968,973 has been recouped to the LGMA from the Local Government Fund up to 20 April, 2012.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (1 May 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together. The Tullow/Rathvilly/Hacketstown Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to start in the programme period. Proposals for advance works in Rathvilly and Hacketstown are currently being evaluated by my Department and it is expected that a decision on these will be...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (1 May 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, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports...