Results 7,821-7,840 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Local Government Reform (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I would like to be able to give the Deputy a direct answer but I cannot. I must discuss these issues with my Government colleagues. I have an idea as to what I would like to do but I must discuss it with them. As the Ceann Comhairle knows, one must get agreement from Government before one can inform the House. I am sure the Deputy will understand that. I do not want to be left with my...

Local Government Reform (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: As I stated in my reply, I am a very strong proponent of devolution of power from central to local government. I want to see people at local level having a meaningful say in their affairs. Power should be as close as possible to the citizen in regard to governance and the delivery of local issues and services. The Deputy can take it that I will be a proponent of the policy he has just...

Local Government Reform (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Boyd Barrett had indicated a few people were on their way. I was wondering-----

Local Government Reform (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: What we must do in respect of any matter in local government, including how we devolve functions from national to local government, is to have an orderly examination of matters. It is not because one individual might have a particular view but in order that we take all matters into account. We have respect for democracy, local government and the law and we will not treat politics by having...

Local Government Reform (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Collins and I agree there must be financial autonomy as far as possible for the local delivery of services through local government. I am anxious that as many functions as possible in terms of raising money locally for delivery of services to the citizen should be introduced. That is what the household charge is about. It is ringfenced for delivery of local services. It is the same...

Local Government Reform (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Councillors often abdicate responsibility. They have done so in respect of waste management.

Local Government Reform (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Abdication is never democracy. This is a responsibility for local councillors. They must take it and make hard decisions about raising money and delivering local services. They have to make choices. If one wants true local democracy people have to make choices based on the resources available. The management system we have at present is tilted too much in favour of the management and...

Community Development (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 176 together. The 2012 allocation for the local and community development programme, LCDP, as provided for in the budget, is €55.157 million, which represents a reduction of some €8 million on the funding available in 2011. I am confident, however, that the budget allocation will allow for the continuation of important supports for people in...

Community Development (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Stanley has put his finger on it in regard to the duplication of resources that can come from various locations, bodies and Departments for particular communities. We are examining that intensively in the context of our budgets. We are also examining the alignment of the community sector with local government. This is all being taken into account to see where there is administrative...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 32, 33, 35 and 39 together. Primary policy responsibility for the exploitation of offshore natural resources, including the tax regime applicable to such projects, is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Such projects are subject to a number of statutory consents under the Gas Acts, and the Petroleum and Other...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 27 and 44 together. The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, particularly the conditions attached to each waste collector's collection permit issued by the relevant local authority under the Waste...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: In October 2011, I announced further measures in relation to my Department's agency rationalisation programme with the overall number of agencies being reduced from 21 to 12. Overall, estimated savings in the order of €1.9 million have been achieved to date in the agency rationalisation process and I anticipate that this should rise significantly. Agency staff numbers are targeted to fall...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The household charge is a local authority charge, the proceeds of which will be used to fund vital local services in our communities. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides that income from the household charge is to be paid into the Local Government Fund. I will disburse monies back to local authorities in general-purpose grants. It is considered that this approach is...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 25 together. The number of staff employed across all 34 local authorities at end of June 2008 was 37,243, compared to 29,744 at end of December 2011, a reduction of 7,499. Based on estimates from local authorities it is anticipated that a further 755 staff may leave the sector by end 2012. The recruitment moratorium in the Public Service was introduced...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 40 together. Section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for the exemption of certain developments from planning requirements. Under the provisions of Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the 2001 Planning Regulations, works consisting of, or incidental to, the carrying out of development in compliance with a notice under Section 12 of the...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Dublin City Council is the designated authority with powers to enforce the statutory requirements arising under the Fire Safety Act, the Building Control Acts and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which are at issue in relation to Priory Hall. The Council is also the designated housing authority under the Housing Acts. The legal proceedings in relation to Priory Hall are continuing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 45 and 48 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 137 of 1 February 2012, which sets out the position in these matters.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Since 1 June 1992, all new, extended or materially altered buildings, including those which have timber frame structures, must be built in compliance with the requirements of the national Building Regulations. Primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Implementation and enforcement of...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 46 together. The legal requirements applicable to the design and construction of new buildings, including dwellings, are specified in the second schedule to the Building Regulations. Technical Guidance Documents are published by my Department to demonstrate how the legal requirements can be achieved in practice. Compliance with the regulations is...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (2 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I presume the question refers to funding awarded to Roscommon Integrated Development Company under the Rural Development Programme. Funding of €427m is available under Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. In line with European policy the programme is permitted a further two years, to the end of...