Results 8,041-8,060 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. The definition of "building" in section 1 is relevant when considering whether a residential property is liable to the household charge. "Building" includes (a) part of a building, and (b ) a structure or erection of any kind and of any materials, or any part of that structure or...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 which provides for the €200 charge on non-principal private residences (NPPR) has been amended by the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011. The exemption from the NPPR charge for properties leased to a local authority under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) has been removed with effect from 1 January, 2012.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: As outlined in the reply to Questions 350 and 524 of 18 October 2011, I am not in a position to make any decisions regarding additional funds for the types of project referred to at this time. Discussions between my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to this matter are ongoing. Any decisions taken will...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The provisions of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 came into force from 1 January 2012. Under this legislation, dog breeding establishments already in operation have a lead-in time of six months (i.e. until 30 June 2012) to apply to their local authority to be included in the register of dog breeding establishments. As with other dog control issues, local authorities are responsible...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The current salary of the Secretary General of my Department is €215,590 per annum. In line with the general Government policy of a €200,000 pay ceiling for senior positions across the Public Service, she has voluntarily waived salary in excess of the €200,000 pay ceiling under Section 483 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. She is not in receipt of any allowances. My Private...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is outlined in the following table. Agency / Board Name of Appointee An Bord Pleanála Dr. Mary Kelly (Chairperson) An Bord Pleanála Ms. Mary MacMahon An Bord Pleanála Mr. Conall Boland Building Regulation Advisory Board (BRAB) Mr. Aidan O'Connor (Departmental representative) Building Regulation Advisory Board (BRAB) Mr. Paul Kelly Building Regulation...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. The definition of "residential property" in section 2(1) is relevant when considering whether a residential property that is not used or lived in is liable to the household charge. There are a number of indicators as to what makes a house suitable for occupation for the purposes of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: In 2010 eleven retired civil servants in receipt of civil service pensions were re-engaged by my Department on a fee basis at a total cost of €55,415. The abatement principle, which ensures that the fee paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she had continued service in their former post, applied to all such payments made. The tasks carried out...

Written Answers — Inland Waterways: Inland Waterways (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department was made aware of unauthorised works undertaken at Reenydonegan Lake and has sought a proposal for remedial works from the parties involved. The issue of funding for any work to be undertaken is a matter to be addressed by the parties involved.

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 gives effect to the €100 household charge. The Act defines "owner" at section 1. Where a property is transferred to an individual and a right of residence is retained by the transferor, my Department has been advised that liability to pay the household charge depends on whether the right of residence is exclusive. The Act places the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, launched by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows: Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together. Section 70 of the Water Services Act 2007 provides that owners of septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems must ensure that their systems do not cause a risk to human health or the environment. The Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 augments the requirements of the 2007 Act and will introduce a new registration and...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), for which my Department has responsibility, continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. The main objectives of the RDP are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. The RDP is designed to address directly many of the challenges...

Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information sought in the Question is not available in my Department. The provision or procurement of legal services is the responsibility of individual local authorities.Local authorities employ a variety of approaches in relation to obtaining legal services. Some local authorities employ legal professionals who are recruited in accordance with public sector recruitment rules. Other...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: I remain concerned at the high level of off-the-road declarations being made as the current procedures governing the making of such declarations are open to potential abuse. The General Scheme of a Bill to tighten the procedures is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department and I remain committed to bringing it forward as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Fire Services: Fire Services (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are permitted, under statute, to charge fees in relation to the services they provide. In the case of the Dublin City Council Fire Brigade Service, it is understood that the call out charge in place reflects only a proportion of the overall cost of attendance at incidents. The other costs of the Service, including fire prevention, inspections and emergency management are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. The Act provides that owners rather than occupiers of residential property on the liability date are liable to pay the household charge. I have sought to protect the most vulnerable in society by providing a number of exclusions and waivers from payment of the charge. The...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (31 Jan 2012)

Phil Hogan: The greater the degree of separation of different categories of waste by consumers and businesses, the easier it will be to reduce the proportion of our waste disposed of in landfill and to create the conditions for investment in much needed recovery and recycling infrastructure. Waste presentation is largely determined by permit conditions and local bye-laws. The Waste Management (Collection...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (31 Jan 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. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect non-principal private residence charges and late payment fees...