Results 7,541-7,560 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: Under the Housing Management Initiative, direct control has been given to local authorities from 1 January 2007 over their internal capital receipts from the sale of local authority dwellings, to be used primarily for their improvement works programmes. While the Department approves the overall programmes it is the responsibility of local authorities to prioritise and advance individual...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government has set a target of a 3% reduction per year, on average, in our greenhouse gas emissions. This target is consistent with our commitment under the Kyoto Protocol. To this end the Programme details a wide range of measures across all sectors of the economy. In addition to the full implementation of the recent National Climate Change Strategy, the Programme...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government sets out a range of objectives to be delivered on over the life of the Government. I am now examining the issues arising in relation to the delivery on the Programme's objectives which fall within the remit of my Department and the objectives in relation to affordable housing will be considered in that context.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 758 and 779 together. These questions cover a variety of issues which will be advanced in accordance with the commitments of Programme for Government regarding apartment complex management companies. The range of work involves action by a number of Government Departments and agencies. An inter-departmental committee, convened by the Department of Justice,...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: Article 9.1 of the EU Water Framework Directive requires Member States to take account of the principle of water services cost recovery, including environmental and resource costs, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. The Directive is being implemented in Ireland in relation to the non-domestic sector on the basis of recovery of all non-domestic water services costs from...

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 760, 769 and 781 together. The Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a Green Paper on Local Government Reform. This Paper will examine a number of issues in relation to the organisation of Irish local government including the establishment of new town councils and the powers of town councils. In the context of preparing the Green...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: Homes sold to first time buyers under the various affordable housing schemes at a discount from market value are subject to a clawback provision, in order to prevent short-term profit taking on the resale of the house to the detriment of the objectives of the schemes. Where a purchaser of an affordable home bought by way of shared ownership wishes to buy out the local authority's share at...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: The local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by authorities on or after 1 July 1986. One of the conditions of the scheme, which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join. Altering this condition would have a negative impact on the scheme and increase the...

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 764 and 780 together. Unlike for Dáil constituencies, there are no constitutional or statutory requirements in relation to the frequency of local electoral area reviews. The last review of local electoral areas was carried out in 1998. The June 2004 local elections took place on the basis of the existing local electoral areas. The next local elections are...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: The proposed candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) 002100 known as the Newport River was advertised in December 2006. The European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 specify that objections on scientific grounds to designation of lands as SAC may be made by persons with a legal interest in the land within three months from the date of notification. The objector in...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: As indicated in reply to Questions Nos. 567 and 577 of 5 April 2007, the Mount Dillon land concerned is not prioritised for designation under the Wildlife Acts or the relevant European Directives. However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department will continue to be available to assist and liaise with the local community group and other interests on relevant nature...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: A proposal for a new fire station at Lismore, County Waterford was received in my Department on 24 October 2006. While it was not possible to include this proposal in the 2007 fire services capital programme, funding has been provided for a range of priority projects which have been advanced in County Waterford in recent years. These include replacement stations and extensions or upgrading...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: Restoration works, representing an investment of some €2m, have been carried out to date at Maynooth Castle. This scheme consisted of a programme of conservation and adaptation works to the ground floor, the provision of access to the first floor and the provision of an exhibition and reception point. This has facilitated visitor access and provided a guide service. The site is now open...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: In October 2006, my Department wrote to the Department of Finance identifying a range of issues arising in relation to the current ceiling on local authority staff numbers, including increased servicing requirements in areas which have experienced high population growth. I will keep the overall employment position in the local government sector under regular review having regard to the need...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: There is no provision at present in the voluntary housing schemes for the purchase of individual houses by tenants. However, it was agreed under Housing Policy Framework — Building Sustainable Communities that consideration would be given in consultation with the voluntary and co-operative sector, to pilot a tenant purchase scheme for some new voluntary homes based on the incremental...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: Generally, planning permission is needed for any development of land or property unless the development is specifically exempted from this requirement. The provision of a hard surface to the front or side of a house for the parking of not more than 2 motor vehicles is already exempt, under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, from the requirement to obtain planning permission,...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 774 to 776, inclusive, together. Wastewater services for the major towns in North Kildare are being provided under the Upper and Lower Liffey Valley Sewerage Schemes which are approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. The Lower Liffey scheme provides for the expansion of the Leixlip wastewater treatment plant under...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: The income eligibility and loan limits for the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme were reviewed and increased with effect from 1 January 2006. The maximum loan that can be advanced by local authorities for the acquisition or construction of a house increased to €185,000. The income eligibility for a single income household increased to €40,000, while in the case of a two income household,...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (26 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: In January 2007, my Department approved Dublin City Council's proposals for the regeneration by way of Public Private Partnership, of O'Devaney Gardens, Dublin. As part of the initial feasibility study, an economic analysis was undertaken by the consultant company Urban Capital on behalf of Dublin City Council, following which the National Development Finance Agency also carried out a Public...

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

John Gormley: That was exactly Deputy Bruton's position.