Results 7,261-7,280 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Seanad: Garda Deployment (22 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Minister for Justice and Equality has asked me to thank the Senator for raising the matter. As the House is aware he is away and unable to speak on the matter. However, it provides me with an opportunity to set out, on his behalf, the precise position on the subject. The development of a new roster for members of the Garda Síochána is one of the targets set by the Garda Síochána...

Seanad: Ambulance Service (22 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am taking the Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. The HSE has confirmed that services are not being diminished in Iveragh or Dingle. However, traditional work practices within the National Ambulance Service are changing, as stations move from on-call to on-duty status. Being on-duty means our highly trained paramedic crews are in...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: A concessionary rate of motor tax was introduced on 1 July 1991 for vintage vehicles, i.e. those constructed more than 30 years prior to the commencement of the period in relation to which the licence is sought. The annual rate of motor tax is €52 for all vintage vehicles other than motorcycles, which are taxed at €24. I have no proposals for changes currently.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: While some aspects of allotment initiatives may in principle be eligible under the Rural Development Programme (RDP), decision making with regard to projects funded through the programme rests solely with the Local Development Companies. Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG), the company contracted by my Department to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the RDP in Gaeltacht Areas, went into...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 353 together. The independent Pyrite Panel is due to submit its report to me in the near future. There is still some continuing work being completed by the Panel. On receipt of the report I will give careful consideration to the content of the report and any recommendations it may contain in relation to the position of home owners whose homes are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346, 347, 359, 360, 369, 370, 375 and 397 together. 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...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to manage its own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. At the request of Sligo County Council, I met with a delegation from the Council on 31 January 2012 to discuss its financial position, including its adopted 2012 budget. My Department continues to be in ongoing consultation with the Council in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Members' Remuneration: Local Authority Members' Remuneration (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have no function in relation to the individual remuneration of members of local authorities, or for the payment of allowances for expenses incurred by those members. The Deputy may wish to consult the public register, provided for in section 142(4)(g ) of the Local Government Act 2001, maintained by the relevant local authorities by virtue of article 8 of the Local Government...

Written Answers — Architectural Qualifications: Architectural Qualifications (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 354, 356, 363 and 390 together. I am aware of the response given by the European Commission on 21 February 2012 to Question No. E-012450/2011 in the European Parliament. I am satisfied that the Building Control Act 2007 is in keeping with the requirements of relevant EU legislation and, in particular, the provisions of Directive 2005/36/EC as regards the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 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. Section 2 of the Act provides the meaning of residential property for the purposes of the legislation....

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 358 and 407 together. 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. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The net value of the Dormant Accounts Fund (uncommitted funds) was €68.25 million on 29 February 2012. A summary of the current status of the Dormant Accounts Fund is available on my Department's website. Government Departments and agencies have to source monies for dormant accounts programmes and measures from their Exchequer allocation, in the same way as with any other funding...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: Harvested rainwater can potentially be used as an alternative source of water for various domestic purposes, e.g. supplying toilet cisterns, car washing etc. and for various business and commercial operations. There are also environmental and economic benefits that can accrue from reducing the demand for water abstraction at source and the subsequent and expensive treatment of raw water for...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 395 together. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I understand, from data provided by the LGMA, that as of 9 March, 2012, a total of 209,965 properties and as of 14 March, 2012, a total of 240,645 properties had been registered...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: There is no specific requirement under the Waste Management Act for horse riding establishments to produce an environmental policy or environmental management plan in respect of their horse riding activities, nor does the Act cover the environmental impact of horse fouling on public roads by such establishments. However I understand that under the Control of Horses Act all local...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Pyrite Panel is an independent body and I am not aware of the details of the arrangements it has made to undertake its work. I understand that it has engaged in an extensive consultation process and is now preparing its report which I hope to receive shortly.

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service. A public consultation designed to inform the policy development process concluded in September 2011. A large number...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: A review of options for the improvement in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and motor tax revenues in future years was announced on Budget day, 6 December 2011. Interested parties were invited to make submissions regarding the proposed revision in the current system of VRT and motor tax to adjust CO2 bands and rates in line with technological advances in motor vehicles while maintaining a...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government has established the Inter-Departmental expert Group to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax. This Group will complete its work and make recommendations to me by end April 2012. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the property tax as soon as possible. It will then be a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 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...