Results 1,101-1,120 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Introduction (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to change the available options for payment of motor tax, which can currently be paid on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. Any changes to the incremental basis of payment of motor tax would require a surcharge, similar to that currently applying to half-yearly and quarterly discs, to be applied to monthly discs to compensate for the increased cost of administration...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security Checks (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: While my Department has not carried out a specific sweep for surveillance or bugging equipment, it does carry out assessments of its ICT systems and infrastructure. My Department uses security hardware and software systems to identify and eliminate malware, viruses and other threats to the security of its systems. This involves both internal resources and the engagement of external ICT...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: From 1 January 2014 Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects included in the 2010 – 2013 Water Services Investment Programme. The further progression of all water services capital projects is a matter for Irish Water....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Bodies Establishment (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board merged with the establishment of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in August 2012. The LGMA also took on the residual functions of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, which has dissolved as of 1 November 2012. The LGMA is a central resource for the local government sector, providing, procuring...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: In order to help communities affected by the recent severe weather, including flooding, the Government last week decided that a sum of up to €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works of public infrastructure. This includes roads, coastal protection, piers, harbours, amenities, tourism and community infrastructure. The funding is in addition to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge element which covers the administrative costs involved in processing the higher volume of applications. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly and quarterly vehicle licences is in the region of €50m. A loss in income...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the operation of water services infrastructure and for the provision of drinking water in accordance with the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No.2) Regulations 2007, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the water quality regulator, is the supervisory authority for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Administration (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The local government funding model has changed considerably in 2014. For example, the establishment of Irish Water and its financial relationship with the local government sector will have a considerable impact on the arrangements for local authority financing. In addition, under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, the Minister for Finance, from 2014 onwards, is to pay into the Local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: In December 2013 I announced an additional €4 million under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). Funding of €1 million was targeted at the Gaeltacht areas which suffered a loss of funding when Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta went into liquidation in 2011 and €3 million to the areas which experienced a reduction of greater than 15% in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I assume the question refers to pilot group sewerage schemes. Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes group sewerage schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. In December 2012, I announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions No. 141, 142, 143 and 150 of 22 January 2014 which sets out the process under which national greenhouse gas mitigation policy and climate change adaptation policy are being progressed. I also refer to the outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill which I issued in February 2013. The National Climate Change Adaptation Framework,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The new Building Control Amendment Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 529 and 530 together. New Building Control (Amendment) Regulations will, from 1 March 2014, strengthen the arrangements in place for the control of building activity, by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certificates of design and construction, lodgement of compliance...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Collection (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The local government funding model has changed considerably in 2014 and, in particular, the establishment of Irish Water and its financial relationship with the local government sector has a considerable impact on the arrangements for local authority financing. The funding to be provided to local authorities for the provision of water services in 2014 is governed by Service Level Agreements...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Grants (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: During 2013, my Department, as well as the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Education and Skills provided funding for disbursement to beneficiary projects under the Dormant Accounts Fund. The breakdown of disbursements to the projects by Pobal on behalf of my Department during the year is listed in the following table. The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The new Building Control Amendment Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Introduction (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act (No. 2) 2013 provides for the transfer of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Supply (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have no responsibility for, or role in relation to, the management, operation or maintenance of water services infrastructure. My Department has asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water will...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax legislation provides that, when taking out a tax disc, a vehicle owner is liable for arrears in respect of each month from the date of last taxing or from the date of purchase of the vehicle. There is no provision whereby motorists can come to individual payment arrangements with a licensing authority. Any such change to the basis of payment for motor tax would be required to be...