Results 7,401-7,420 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Local Authority Charges (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I will not develop any method. My methodology is to ensure people understand the law and understand they are liable for this charge and have to pay it. The late payment interest will be 1% per month and late payment fees will apply in the case of a household charge. If the Deputy is advocating that people should not pay, he is telling them that they should pay late payment fees and mount...

Public Service Staff (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: There is an ongoing moratorium in the public service which was introduced as an emergency measure in response to the financial crisis. Under the terms of the moratorium all local authority staffing requests must be sanctioned by my Department. In accordance with section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is a matter for each local authority, in the first instance, to ensure that the...

Public Service Staff (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I do not know how the Deputy can square the last statement he made that the number of staff in Dublin fire services is reducing, when in fact the number has increased by 50, from 824 whole time equivalents to 874 whole time equivalents. How can the Deputy say the number has been reduced? Those are the figures.

Public Service Staff (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: They are whole time equivalents. I will not intervene at a time when we are reducing the number of staff in local authorities generally and where the fire service has had its number of whole time equivalents increased. This is an indication of the priority we give to the people of Dublin in respect of the fire service.

Local Authority Housing (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: In line with overall national policy which promotes a reduction in energy use, the enhancement of energy efficiency standards remains a priority within my Department's overall strategy for the improvement of local authority housing. Under the Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to...

Local Authority Housing (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I understand that.

Local Authority Housing (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: If Deputy Stanley wants to make a case in writing on the issues he has outlined I would be glad to have them considered.

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 29 together. The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2007 set out a clear statutory framework for construction activity based on clear legal standards as set out in the building regulations; detailed technical guidance documents to outline how these standards can be achieved in practice; the burden and responsibility for compliance resting first and foremost...

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I agree with Deputy Wallace; there is no point in having any regulations if it is not possible to enforce them. In 2010, 82 enforcement notices were served by building control authorities, compared to 36 the year before. A clerk of works system is what the Deputy and I know best in terms of ensuring proper compliance with building control, and that is why I am trying to pool resources in...

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am not ruling out anything. The system has worked well in the past. We have had a lot of irresponsible building projects overseen by professions that we trusted. We asked them on behalf of the State to sign off on these developments, but we have seen some of the shoddy workmanship that has gone on. This has caused problems for the unfortunate residents who bought properties or are in...

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: Belmayne was launched in 2007, as Deputy Broughan knows, at the height of the property boom as a high-profile housing development in Dublin's north fringe. The company behind the development, Belmayne Ireland limited, has had its loans taken over by NAMA. On 6 July 2011 a report was prepared for the chief fire officer of the Dublin region outlining the position with regard to fire safety...

Waste Management (8 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...

Waste Management (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I hope to include as part of the national policy an obligation for a waiver for low income families. That has worked well in many local authorities. It has been an expensive provision for local authorities in the past but, nevertheless, it is a valuable policy instrument to assist people, particularly those on low incomes and in receipt of social welfare benefit, to ensure they are able to...

Waste Management (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: It is interesting that the Competition Authority, which had strong views on this issue some years ago, appears to have changed its mind recently. It is now indicating that the existing collection system is more competitive and consumer friendly than it previously thought. It is amazing that such an august body as the Competition Authority can change its mind on these matters. Taking that...

Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: On 1 March 2012 I published a consultation document which sets out the proposed standards for the operation and maintenance of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems. The consultation process will be open until Friday, 30 March and submissions can be made to my Department on the proposed standards before they are given legal effect. It is my intention, subject to the...

Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am surprised the Deputy would take his advice from Professor Tol who said it would cost €800 to put a water meter in a house. He has got a number of things wrong. He is no longer working for the ESRI. I am sure the Deputy will agree that not everybody who presents himself or herself as having such levels of expertise is always right.

Burial Grounds (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 45 together. Under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts 1878 to 2001, local authorities generally, acting in their capacity as burial boards, have a range of powers to provide and manage burial grounds in their functional area. It is a matter for each local authority to set an appropriate level of charges in respect of burial grounds managed...

Burial Grounds (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: Okay. In Dublin, the four local authorities operate a large number of burial grounds throughout their administrative areas. My Department has no role in regard to the Dublin Cemetery Committee or The Dublin Cemeteries Committee Act 1970, which is a private Act.

Burial Grounds (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I know that the Deputy would not be asking this question until he received many representations on it. It is interesting that prices differ widely-----

Burial Grounds (8 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: -----especially between rural and urban areas. A single plot in Mayo costs €375 while one in Fingal costs €1,900. The cost of plots in south Dublin increased significantly on 1 January last. A single plot rose from €1,200 to €1,800. It is an expensive matter and it might be a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in that this could involve a competition issue.