Results 15,041-15,060 of 20,884 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Island Communities (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The costs of elections are met from the Central Fund, which is managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance. I am not aware of any additional costs arising where an island community votes on the same day as voters on the mainland, that is the day appointed by order of the Minister. Section 85 of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that a returning...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 650 together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 579 to 585, inclusive, of 15 December 2015. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Under the Social Housing Strategy, there are substantial targets and funding resources for the delivery of social housing by local authorities, including Westmeath County Council. In April 2015, I issued social housing targets and provisional funding allocations to all local authorities to be invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes designed to accommodate 25% of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Since July 2011, my Department’s website has been used as the primary mechanism for seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of State bodies under my Department’s aegis. In line with a Government Decision last Autumn, a Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments to State Boards,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Since March 2011 the Chairpersons (or equivalents) of the following Boards have met the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: - Dr. Mary Kelly, An Bord Pleanála - Ms Laura Burke, Environmental Protection Agency - Dr. Michelle Norris, Housing Finance Agency - Mr. Conor Skehan, Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency -Ms Breda Collins, Irish Water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Legislative Process RIA (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The information sought by the Deputy is not routinely compiled by my Department but will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Vacant Site Levy (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas. Under the provisions of the Act, with effect from 2019 - in respect of 2018 - a levy will be charged on the registered owners of vacant sites in designated areas in local development plans and local area...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: 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. Rates income data are published by local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Exemptions (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on the occupiers of rateable property in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The Local Government Act 1946 provides that where a property is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate, the owner becomes liable for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Agencies (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: In November 2014, the Government approved the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which sets out a strategic framework for meeting the State’s social housing needs to the end of the decade. The Strategy includes a commitment to commence work on a financial vehicle, to be known as the Strategic Housing Fund, to raise funding for the social housing sector. The financial vehicle will be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing for People with Disabilities (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 665 together. The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2011-2016 was published in late 2011 and the associated National Implementation Framework was published in July 2012. These are joint publications by my Department and the Department of Health and set out the Government’s broad framework for the delivery of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Rates (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Court of Appeal ruling referred to was made on 21 October 2015 and had the effect that from that date articulated goods vehicles fell to be taxed at the general haulage tractor rate. This category attracts an annual rate of €333. The Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Act 2015 was subsequently enacted to provide for such vehicles to be reclassified as goods vehicles and to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Management (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Section 132 of the Local Government Act 2001 states that it is the duty of every chief executive of a local authority to carry into effect all lawful directions of the elected council in relation to the reserved functions of the local authority. Furthermore, it is the duty of the chief executive to advise and assist the elected council, corporate policy group, strategic policy committees and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Living Wage (17 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Payment of salaries to staff of my Department is made in line with pay scales approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. If a minimum payment of €11.50 an hour were introduced, the additional costs for my Department are estimated to be in the region of €10,850 (not including Employer’s PRSI). This figure reduces as and when the staff concerned progress...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (16 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: On 15 December 2015, I published the Independent Planning Review of the performance of planning functions having regard to specific planning issues raised in respect of six planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) prepared by McCabe Durney Barnes, together with my Department’s Response Report to the recommendations. This...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (16 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: As Irish Water is a commercial utility and a subsidiary of Ervia (formerly Bord Gáis Éireann), formed and registered under the Companies Act, neither I, as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, nor my predecessor has had any role in relation to the procurement by Irish Water of external resources or service providers. These are operational matters for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (16 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: My Department does not provide specific funding allocations for public lighting. The provision and maintenance of public lighting is the responsibility of each individual local authority. Local authorities receive income from a variety of sources including grants from Central Government, Local Property Tax proceeds, commercial rates and other locally-raised charges. It is a matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Government decided on 11 February 2014 to allocate funding of up to €69.5 million to local authorities in the areas worst affected by the first phase of severe weather between 13 December 2013 and 6 January 2014. The purpose of this was to support communities by restoring amenities, facilities and other public infrastructure which had been damaged. In relation to funding sought by...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Forbairt na nOileán (16 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Níl aon athrú ó fhreagra an 8ú lá de mhí na Nollag uaim i dtaobh fhorbairt na Cé ar Inis Oírr faoin gClár Bonneagair agus Infheistíochta Caipitil, 2016-2021.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Consultative Group (15 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: My Department has held a number briefing and update meetings on water sector reform issues for senior officials and Ministerial advisors from relevant Government Departments, generally associated with key milestones in the water sector reform programme. These meetings, which are also attended by Irish Water, are usually held in Government Buildings. Copies of these minutes have already...