Results 12,341-12,360 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Supports (21 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I assure Deputy Ó Snodaigh the Minister will be given a copy of his comments for direct reply. The kernel is that the Minister has met with Focus Ireland and the Department continues to engage with it on the issues the Deputy has raised today.

Topical Issue Debate: Third Level Grants (21 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: We all accept that there were problems. They are now being addressed. Substantial progress has been made in dealing with outstanding applications. There were problems with the new grant-awarding system in its first year. SUSI has made substantial progress. Some 99.5% of applications are now complete. The final 447 cases, most of which are awaiting final elements of documentation from...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Supports (21 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for bringing this matter before the House. I am responding to him on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Burton. The €100 rate of jobseeker's allowance was introduced for claimants under the age of 20 in April 2009. This rate was applied to claimants up to the age of 21 from December 2009. A rate of €144 applies to claimants between the ages of 22...

Topical Issue Debate: Third Level Grants (21 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Up to 2011, students applied to their local authority or VEC for their grants. Some 66 grant awarding authorities were involved, all using a variety of application, assessment and payment processes. SUSI replaces all of these with a centralised and online system of application. While there were problems in the first year of the new...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (21 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that surveys of eel stocks were carried out in the Waterford estuary in 2009 and 2011. The surveys indicated probable high levels of movement within these waters which made estimating the population difficult. Preliminary analysis of samples taken from the Barrow Transitional Water indicates a mean eel age of 9 years ranging from 4 to 15 years...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Táim sásta bheith anseo inniu.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is not part of this legislation, but it was mentioned on Second Stage. The Department has engaged consultants to undertake a review of the producer responsibility initiative model in Ireland. The report on the review which will be ready in the coming months is expected to make recommendations in a number of areas, including on end of life vehicles. I hope the issue raised by the...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is not part of the Bill. The briefing material might state it is, but it is not included in the legislation. I will ensure the Department contacts the Deputy after the meeting to answer his query.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The question relates to the different amounts charged, where if a person pays for a full year, it is cheaper than paying by the quarter. The difference is due to the administrative costs involved.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The three and six month tax rates are set at a higher figure than the annual fee to take account of the extra workload involved for the national vehicle driver file in motor tax offices and the additional reminders sent on the date of each renewal. The current half and quarter year duty rates are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual rate, which rates have remained constant since 1960. The annual...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The difficulty with making payments by direct debit is that when someone ceases to pay, the Department will not receive the money expected. As I hear the Deputy's remarks, I will talk to the Department about the matter.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: There are 4.6 million road tax transactions. Theoretically, that number could rise to 15 million if everyone opted to make quarterly payments.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: They can use the off-road declaration form like everyone else.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The owner does not have to give a reason. If a vehicle is off the road, the owner simply declares that it will be off the road; he or she does not have to give a reason. This is a difficulty if there are certain numbers of vehicles that are only used for certain periods.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Department has advised me that the Bill will not change that position, but I accept the Deputy is raising it as a point to be considered in the future.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Car hire companies also have an issue in that they can have a certain number of cars but if the business is not available, they face a significant loss.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: At any time during the relevant month the company can declare a vehicle is off the road.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013: Committee Stage (16 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. It does not have to be a calendar month.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Industry Data (15 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: In the event that a future producing oil or gas field were to extend over more than one exploration authorisation, or more than a single jurisdiction, then the principle of unitisation would be of relevance. Existing geological and geophysical data, including seismic surveys, would in the first instance inform the unitisation process.

Housing (Amendment) Bill 2013: Referral to Select Committee (9 May 2013)

Fergus O'Dowd: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Environment, Community and Local Government pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.