Results 721-740 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax on cars registered prior to July 2008 is calculated on the engine capacity of the car. I have no plans to review the basis of charging motor tax for these vehicles to take seating capacity into account. It should be noted that the average increase in motor tax for cars taxed on engine capacity was 7.5% in Budgets 2012 and 2013, considerably less than the increase s applied to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Services (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: My Department through Met Éireann accepts debit or credit card payments from the general public for certain weather forecasting services. While the merchant agreement for these payments was awarded in line with public procurement guidelines, this did not include a formal tendering process because the value of the contract was below the tendering threshold. The agreement is a rolling one...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 151 together. The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 set out the main provisions for dog control, including requirements for all dog owners to accompany and keep effectual control of their dogs, irrespective of breed. The penalty for nonconformance with these requirements is a fine of up to €2,500 or imprisonment for a term of up to three...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Exemptions (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 157 together. Since 2001, national water pricing policy has required local authorities to recover the costs of providing water services from all non-domestic users of these services, including sporting clubs, community halls and schools. This policy provided for charges based on actual metered consumption and is consistent with the requirements of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: EU Funding (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: In its role as National Contact Point, my Department has responsibility to promote the LIFE Programme 2014-2020 and to disseminate information as widely as possible. Comprehensive information on the Programme, including contact details for the Irish LIFE National Contact Points, is available on my Department's website at and on the European Commission's website at .

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Air Pollution (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: 'Chemtrails' are not a scientifically recognised phenomena and my Department has not conducted any research on them. With regard to visible condensation trails, or contrails as they are often known, left by jet aircraft, my Department has previously been informed by Met Éireann that these trails are formed through the emission of exhaust gases from jet engines of aircraft in the upper...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Government will decide on the proposed approaches to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have no responsibility for, or role in relation to, the management, operation or maintenance of water services infrastructure. From 1 January 2014 Irish Water has responsibility for the delivery of these services and for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016. The further progression of all water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mountain Rescue Service (3 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have not had discussions with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the funding of mountain rescue teams. It is important that those partaking in activities in upland areas should be a ware of the rugged terrain and possible changes in weather conditions that may pertain in such areas. My Department and Comhairle na Tuaithe fully endorse the principles of Leave No...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Exemptions (2 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. T he Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (2 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 provide for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Remuneration (2 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: No staff member in my Department ha s received performance related bonuses in the years 2010 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I do not plan to amend the legislation setting out requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs have to follow. The overall dog control provisions of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 contain important and balanced requirements for all dog owners, irrespective of breed. In particular, the legislation sets out the requirement for owners to accompany and keep effectual control of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 342 together. The Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952 provides that the rate of duty for a quarterly tax disc must not exceed 30% of the annual duty applicable and sets no upper limit for a half-yearly disc. The rates of duty currently applicable to the quarterly and half-yearly discs are 28.25 % and 55.5 % of the annual rate, respectively....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Taxi Regulations (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Licensing authorities have an obligation under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 to be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed and the authority must have adequate documentation to support a claim for a particular rate of tax.  In order to avail of the small public service vehicle rate of tax, which at €95 annually is a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Labour Court Recommendations (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: While the correspondence referred to has been received, it should be noted that my Department has no role in the internal operations of any private organisations and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are for the Board of the company, as the employer, to manage. However, the Government recognises that like all other sectors of our economy,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Building Regulations 1997 set out the statutory performance standards for buildings in 12 parts, A to M, and Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) which are published to accompany each of the twelve parts demonstrate how the statutory requirements can be achieved in practice. Part J of the Regulations set out the minimum requirements in relation to Heat Producing Appliances (including...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Administration (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Dormant Accounts Board was dissolved on 31 December 2012 and a new disbursement scheme was approved by Government in December 2013 in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012. This was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 18 December 2013. The 2012 Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act also provides for the preparation of an action plan to give effect to the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The pyrite remediation scheme applies to dwellings which are affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave in the counties of Kildare, Meath, Offaly and the administrative areas of Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council. The scheme is one of “last resort” and to be included in the scheme applicants must be able to demonstrate to the Pyrite Resolution Board...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (1 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 352 together. Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012, I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The...