Results 7,381-7,400 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (13 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the Rural Development Programme (RDP) in Ireland and in line with the bottom up approach to Rural Development used to implement the RDP, local action groups (LAGs) are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the individual group's local development strategy,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Management: Local Authority Management (13 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Office for Local Authority Management (OLAM), is under the remit of the Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB), and provides management support services for City and County Managers including administrative and secretarial services to the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) and its committees. There are currently 5 people employed in OLAM with total salaries...

Written Answers — Local Authority Management: Local Authority Management (13 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information sought in the question is set out in the table below. Date Purpose of the Meeting Topics Discussed 12/12/2011 Meeting of CCMA representatives with the Secretary General, and Assistant Secretary, Local Government Division, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Local Government Efficiency 12/12/2011 Meeting of CCMA representatives with the Local...

Written Answers — Local Authority Management: Local Authority Management (13 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department does not provide funding to the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA). The provision of funding to the CCMA by the Local Government Management Services Board and individual local authorities is a matter for the Board and the individual local authorities.

Written Answers — Local Authority Management: Local Authority Management (13 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 131 and 134 of 29 September 2011, 466 of 24 January 2012, 196 of 22 February 2012 and 352 of 6 March 2012, in which I stated that it is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (13 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. The household charge is framed on a self assessment basis and under the legislation an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless...

Leaders' Questions (13 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: Well done, Deputy Shane Ross.

Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: Arising from the intervention of me and the former Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, with the National Asset Management Agency, we were in a position to secure agreement on the provision by the agency of 2,000 units of accommodation. This is a major boost towards the social dividend we expected from NAMA and will assist those on the housing waiting lists, which are, I regret, growing. The...

Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: It will not be possible for local authorities to engage in the traditional approach of direct building. The amount available for construction, direct purchase or to assist voluntary housing bodies in acquiring housing has declined from €1.5 billion to €353 million over the past four years. This is a substantial reduction and I do not know where we would obtain capital resources to go...

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: Work is proceeding with a view to bringing policy proposals to Government at an early date on the reform and development of local government in accordance with the programme for Government. Decisions have already been taken to merge the authorities in counties Limerick and Tipperary and implementation work is proceeding. Progress reports have been submitted in both cases which present a...

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I fully concur with Deputy Wallace on the centralised nature of government here. This is not acceptable, which is the reason I am doing something about it. In view of the Deputy's stance on the household charge, I would welcome his proposals on financing local government. Where will we obtain money at local level to contribute to the effective running of local government and the provision...

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I accept the household charge is not progressive or fair and one needs to have a property tax in place, as most socialist parties in Europe would agree. I intend to bring forward proposals later this year to achieve this outcome in 2013.

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The United Left Alliance opposes the concept of a property tax.

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I want to ensure the principles Deputy Wallace outlined are implemented. I refer, for example, to the proper devolution of functions to local authority level and the proper provision of local services which can be delivered by people at local level as close as possible to the people. However, these services must also be funded at local level, which is what I am striving to do.

Retail Sector Developments (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The draft guidelines for planning authorities on retail planning will be finalised by April 2012. The guidelines are aimed at ensuring the planning system plays a key role in supporting competitiveness in the retail sector, advancing choice for the consumer while promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of city and town centres, and contributing to a high standard of urban design...

Retail Sector Developments (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy is correct that we were obliged under the EU-IMF agreement to carry out an independent study of the retail sector from the point of view of competitiveness. We did so and we submitted a draft proposal to the EU-IMF, which did not take into account all the recommendations made by Forfás. I am conscious that balanced development is needed, as the Deputy said, and I am equally...

Retail Sector Developments (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I would be glad to hear from the Deputy if he has a methodology that would allow for the free market to operate while, at the same time, preventing the abuses to which he has referred. I am strong on ensuring that in the scheme of development contributions, we err on the side of ensuring we protect and enhance town centres. We all know that there has been a reduction in footfall and...

Local Authority Charges (8 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. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Local...

Local Authority Charges (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The household charge will go into the local government fund and will be disbursed among local authorities. If the estimated amount is not collected, the local authorities will have to examine their service plans for the remainder of the year. The Government has no additional money. If the €160 million is not paid into this fund, there will be an impact on services and local authority...

Local Authority Charges (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The tax is legally liable. It is the law of the land and the case of any person who is taken to court in breach of the law and how the payments are collected are matters for the Minister for Justice and Equality under the Fines Act 2010.