Results 781-800 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 in response to the financial crisis. My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities, and any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Following consideration of a report from me on the severe weather that affected Ireland in the period from mid-December 2013 to 6 January 2014, the Government decided on 11 February that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. €62 million of this will be for local authorities in the areas worst affected by severe weather...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Control Act (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Building Control Act 2007, provided , inter alia, for the protection of the use of certain professional titles, including the title of Architect, in order to protect consumers from unregistered persons passing themselves off as construction professionals. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is the designated registration body for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act. I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Administration (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take questions Nos. 640 to 642, inclusive, together. The Dormant Accounts Board was dissolved on 31 December 2012 and a new disbursement scheme was approved by Government in December 2013 in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012. This was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on18 December 2013. The National Treasury Management Agency (“the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 647, 649, 666 and 667 together. With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it .  Irish Water will not collect charges from any households not connected to a public water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: In line with the objectives of the national waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, in terms of maximising the resource potential and minimising the disposal of our waste, the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2013 are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste. The Regulations impose obligations on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Nuclear Safety (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: While my Department has overall policy responsibility for nuclear safety issues, the monitoring of radioactive contamination in the environment is one of the functions assigned to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII). In this regard, the RPII carries out a rigorous and continuous testing programme to monitor environmental radiation and to ensure that the Institute and my...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Exemptions (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 , as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non Principal Private Residence Charge. The Charge operates on a self-assessment basis. The 2009 Act places the 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Procurement Regulations (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: My Department does not acquire or purchase biocides as set out in S.I. 625 of 2001. The acquisition or purchase of biocides by agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day operational matter for the bodies concerned and is not managed centrally by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The making of bye-laws by a local authority is provided for in a number of enactments relating to specific matters. Section 199 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides general powers to the Council to make bye-laws where no specific provision is made by or under any other enactment for that particular purpose. The approval of a draft bye-law, the consideration of submissions in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reports (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 659 together. The information requested is set out in the following table in relation to reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011. Reports of a technical nature, or otherwise used to inform work within my Department, are not published as a matter of course. Consultant/Author etc. Name/Description of Report Comment AP Env Econ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the individual loca l Building Control Authorities. Neither I nor my Department has any role in relation to such enforcement matters and cannot interfere in individual cases. My Department does of course liaise with local authorities in relation to significant building control issues that have arisen in various multi-unit...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: 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 with developers/builders; a statutory responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development Initiatives (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: In May 2007 this company submitted an application for funding for the installation of 3 phase electricity under the CLÁR Programme. The application was refused on 8 June 2007 as it did not meet the eligibility criteria of the Programme. The CLÁR Programme is no longer accepting funding applications.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: In response to the scientific advice from the Inter - Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the European Council has concluded that greenhouse gas emission s from developed countries as a whole must be reduced by 8 0-95% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. EU commitment to an effective, long-term globa l response to climate change is evident in the Climate and Energy Package adopte d in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Establishment (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Legislation was enacted in December 2013 (The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013) which established Irish Water as the national water services authority from 1 January 2014. The Act provides for the transfer of water services functions from the 34 local authorities to Irish Water. Section 14 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that the nister may, from time to time, designate the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates of duty applicable for half yearly and quarterly options are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual charge respectively. This additional cost element takes account of the extra workload for staffing in motor tax offices and the National Vehicle and Driver File, and the resultant administrative costs and printing costs that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Following consideration of a report from me on the severe weather that affected Ireland in the period from mid-December 2013 to 6 January 2014, the Government decided on 11 February that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. €62 million of this will be for local authorities in the areas worst affected by severe weather...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: European Parliament Elections (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The European Parliament Elections Act 1997 gives effect to the detailed arrangements in place in Ireland for implementing the requirements of Council Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993. That Directive provides that EU citizens, who are not nationals of the Member State in which they reside but who meet the same conditions in respect of the right to vote as that State imposes on its own...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 672 and 673 together. As stated in my reply to Question No . 342 of 11 March 2014, it would not be appropriate to publicly name quarries alleged to be suppliers of hardcore material used in dwellings which may display signs of pyritic damage in the absence of evidence establishing traceability of the hardcore material . While the Pyrite Resolution Act...