Results 7,961-7,980 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The EU co-funded Rural Development Programme, as referred to in the Question, is part-implemented by 35 Local Development Companies around the country. My Department is responsible for these elements of the overall programme, while the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine is responsible for the elements of the programme that directly support the agriculture sector. These 35 Local...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 gives effect to the €100 household charge. The Act places the household charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority. Interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the Courts.

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the charge on non-principal private residences (NPPR). Under section 9 of the Act, collection of the charge is placed under the care and management of the relevant local authority. It is open to an individual who may be experiencing hardship in meeting their payment obligations under the Act to make...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides for a number of exemptions and waivers from payment of the household charge. The exemptions from payment of the household charge are - · Residential properties that are part of the trading stock of a business and have not been sold or been the source of any income since construction, · Residential property owned by a Minister...

Written Answers — Emergency Services: Emergency Services (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 474 of 31 January 2012 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Waste Water Treatment: Waste Water Treatment (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 sets out the duties for owners of domestic waste water treatment systems including septic tanks. The Bill requires an owner of such a system to ensure that it does not constitute, or is not likely to constitute, a risk to human health or the environment and, in particular, that it does not create a risk to water, air or soil, or to plants and animals,...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: 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 Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended....

Written Answers — Professional Bodies: Professional Bodies (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. Part 3 of the Act enables eligible persons engaged in the provision of architectural services to register for the use of the title architect. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has been designated as the registration body for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act. Membership of the RIAI is not...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of the charge on non-principal private residences (NPPR). The charge is set at €200 and is being levied and collected by local authorities. The Act places the onus on an owner of a residential property which is situated in the State to assess his or her liability for...

Written Answers — Pyrite Heave: Pyrite Heave (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department is aware that incidents of pyrite heave have been reported to date in Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Offaly. As the Deputy is aware, I have set up an independent Panel to examine the problem of pyrite in private housing and I have asked the Panel to report to me early this year. When I receive the report, I will give early and careful consideration to the Panel's findings, and...

Written Answers — Regional Development: Regional Development (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Western Development Commission's Creative West report, published in 2009, outlined a summary of research findings and detailed a set of recommendations for developing the creative sector. The sector includes design, digital media, visual arts, architecture and crafts among others. The report provides useful information and a coherent analysis that is being used to underpin and guide the...

Written Answers — Environmental Education: Environmental Education (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Green Schools environmental education programme, coordinated by An Taisce, has been operating very successfully in Ireland for the past 15 years. The programme is coordinated at international level by the Foundation for Environmental Education. The Green Schools initiative provides a great opportunity for young people to learn how we can live more sustainably and protect and improve our...

Written Answers — Local Authority Services: Local Authority Services (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: Day to day operations, including staffing levels and opening hours, in the public library service are a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under Section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001. My Department provides funding towards the capital costs of approved new libraries and the refurbishment of existing libraries along with funding for mobile libraries...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The issue of the potential health effects of mobile phone masts was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This Report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, is available for download on my Department's website (www.environ.ie ). The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion to date is that no adverse...

Written Answers — Local Authority Services: Local Authority Services (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: In accordance with Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, day to day staffing and organisational arrangements are a matter for each local authority. My Department has a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium on public sector recruitment in the local authority sector. Where vacancies arise, it is a matter for each...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: The pension entitlements of city and county managers are provided for in article 78 of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. My Department has examined the new pension terms for secretaries general to assess how they apply to city and county managers. The implementation of new pension terms will require legislation. The precise detail of this is currently being...

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: We will look after that in Kilkenny.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: We had to look after Ferrybank when the Waterford crowd would not do it.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 Feb 2012)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Senators for their constructive contributions.