Results 8,661-8,680 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan
- Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (1 Dec 2011)
Phil Hogan: In line with overall national policy which promotes a reduction in energy use, the enhancement of energy efficiency standards remains a priority within my Department's overall strategy for the improvement of local authority housing. Under the Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to...
- Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (1 Dec 2011)
Phil Hogan: Of the total â¬2.36m approved under the public safety initiative, â¬1.075m has been paid to 19 local authorities for safety works on unfinished housing developments. A breakdown by local authority area is set out in the table below. Total CARLOW County Council 54,366.50 CAVAN County Council 106,201.98 CORK County Council 114,067.50 GALWAY County Council 30,262.00 GALWAY City...
- Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (1 Dec 2011)
Phil Hogan: In line with overall national policy which promotes a reduction in energy use, the enhancement of energy efficiency standards remains a priority within my Department's overall strategy for the improvement of local authority housing. Under the Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Dec 2011)
Phil Hogan: My Department is currently preparing draft guidelines on development contributions, which I expect will be available for public consultation by year end. Following such consultation, and consideration of any submissions received, I will issue the guidelines as Ministerial guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2010.
- Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Dec 2011)
Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV), which is applied...
- Water Services (1 Dec 2011)
Phil Hogan: I thank Deputy Harris for giving me an opportunity to outline my position on this important subject, which clearly demonstrates the importance of water volumes and water quality for the community in general. I will continue to prioritise capital funding under my Department's water services investment programme, which is clearly underpinned by the need to address deficiencies in quality and...
- Water Services (1 Dec 2011)
Phil Hogan: I accept that legitimate concerns have been raised about the supply of drinking water to parts of Wicklow and Dublin from the Vartry supply. I reiterate my firm commitment to the advancement of proposals, including those in the action programme, aimed at addressing these deficiencies. I want infrastructural provision in the water sector to be accelerated. Important decisions on the reform...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: The Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS) published in 2005 represented a strategic analysis of the existing drainage systems in the Greater Dublin Area and made a number of recommendations to meet future needs having regard to whole-life costs and environmental performance. The â¬2 billion cost referred to in the question is the estimated cost, in whole life terms, for all of...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, which came into force on 1 April 2011, include a standard prescribed application form to be completed by all households seeking social housing support. To ensure that a housing authority is in a position to consider a household's application properly and fairly, this form must be completed fully and all relevant supporting documentation...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service. A public consultation designed to inform policy development concluded in September 2011. A large number of responses...
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: The Government's housing policy statement launched by the Minister for Housing in June of this year foresaw a number of significant reforms and developments in the provision of social housing. A key element in this regard is the commitment to devise an alternative to the existing system of rent supplement operated by the Department of Social Protection. The intention is that those...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: The planning code is kept under review in my Department to ensure that there continues to be adequate participation by public representatives in decision-making and policy formulation. Having regard to my immediate priorities on the legislation programme, I have no plans to introduce further planning legislative amendment at this time. The matter can be further considered in 2012.
- Written Answers — Homelessness Strategy: Homelessness Strategy (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government commits to reviewing and updating the current homeless strategy, to adopting a 'housing first/housing led' approach to homelessness and to ensuring more effective prevention strategies. Work now underway on updating the strategy will be concluded this year. There is no single solution to increasing the level of social housing supply for the homeless, and...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 123 and 138 together. With levels of capital funding for social housing reduced by some 66% since 2008, the financial parameters within which the State is operating and will be operating over the coming years rule out a return to a mainly capital-driven construction programme by local authorities. Accordingly, delivery of social housing will be primarily...
- Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 44, 42 and 122 together. I am adopting a progressive approach to local government structural reform. Decisions have already been taken to merge the authorities in Limerick and Tipperary and a Local Government Committee has been established to consider whether Waterford City and County Councils should be unified. I intend to bring wider policy proposals...
- Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (30 Nov 2011)
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. My responsibility, as Minister, is to ensure that appropriate...
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: For the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland is committed to limiting greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels over the 2008-2012 period. In accordance with the National Climate Change Strategy we will meet that target on foot of domestic mitigation action supplemented by the purchase of carbon allowances or credits under the flexible mechanisms provided for in the protocol....
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: I have no plans to amend Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. There is no question of the term architect being applied exclusively to university qualified architects. Section 22 of the Act makes specific provision for a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as...
- Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. Local authorities are responsible for enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations in relation to all rented properties. Regulations setting out minimum standards for private rented accommodation were first set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. However, it became clear in recent...
- Written Answers — Shared Ownership Scheme: Shared Ownership Scheme (30 Nov 2011)
Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 144 together. Any borrower, including a borrower purchasing under the shared ownership scheme, who is facing difficulties in meeting mortgage repayments, should engage proactively and constructively with the lender to seek to achieve an agreed solution. The services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service are also available to such borrowers and...