Results 15,761-15,780 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Library Services Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: A draft Libraries Capital Investment Programme is being developed by my Department for investment in library infrastructure over the period 2016-2021. The proposed library at Kinnegad has been identified by Westmeath County Council as a priority investment and, accordingly, will be considered in that context.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Library Services Staff (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is a matter for each local authority Chief Executive, for the purposes of discharging responsibilities, under section 149 of the Act, for the efficient and effective operation of his or her authority, to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as are deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions for which he...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Applications (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are administered by local authorities, in this case Dublin City Council, with funding from my Department. There is no difficulty with funding availability under the schemes from my Department and I understand that Dublin City Council is in contact with the applicant in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Political Reform (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The process of parliamentary reform is an ongoing one. The Programme for Government outlined an ambitious agenda for Dáil Reform to be introduced in a phased process over the lifetime of the Government. On foot of this, since 2011 the operation of the Dáil has been steadily reformed to enhance the legislative role of elected members and improve the working of the House. The measures...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Vacant Site Levy (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: There is no time limit requirement under the planning laws relating to the bringing into use of properties after their completion. However, the recently enacted Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, underutilised sites in urban areas. In the context of the Act, the term...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Data (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: General statistics on local authority housing stock, including vacant social housing units, are published annually by the Local Government Management Agency. The most recent such statistics are the Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2013 which are available on the Agency’s website at the following link: www.lgma.ie/en/serviceindicators/2004to2013. My Department is providing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: My Department has been actively supporting all local authorities, including Dublin City Council, to remediate vacant social housing units and return them to use for those on the housing waiting lists. Between 2014 and 2015, my Department has committed funding support to Dublin City Council to return 945 vacant social housing units to productive use. This is on top of the work already being...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The construction and maintenance of aviation fuel pipelines is subject to the normal planning processes provided for in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and Regulations made thereunder. Thus, planning permission is required for such development from the planning authority concerned, or An Bord Pleanála on appeal, and the process of determining whether permission should...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 590 together. 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 Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Recruitment (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The application to sanction this post was received by my Department on 17 June 2015 and has been approved.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Between 2011 and 2014, Mayo County Council was allocated €2 .023 million toward energy efficiency measures for their social housing stock and drew down €1.8 million of this funding.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 589 together. My Department provides capital funding to local authorities to increase their supply of social housing stock through the construction and acquisition of houses and apartments. This is one of the methods for the delivery of social housing by both local authorities and by approved housing bodies and significant housing delivery is also...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Data (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 565 to 567, inclusive, together. My Department provides funding under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. There are three separate grants available under the scheme and local authorities receive an overall allocation, with the responsibility for the apportionment between the 3 schemes being a matter for each...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Register of Electors (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: In order to vote at an election or a referendum a voter must be registered in the appropriate register of electors for that election or referendum. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for the registration of voters where they are ‘ordinarily resident’. Depending on the circumstances, the registration authority may consider it appropriate to register people experiencing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Arrears (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The occupier of a dwelling is liable to pay the water charges in respect of the dwelling, and legislation provides that the owner is the occupier unless the contrary is proven. Section 23A of the Water Services (No. 2)...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 571 and 583 together. MacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants were appointed in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions having regard to specific planning issues in respect of six planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: Fire authorities have specific statutory responsibility to respond to fires and protect property. Additionally, there is statutory provision for fire services to respond to non-fire emergency operations, including response to road traffic accidents, incidents involving hazardous materials, and rescue operations, such as rescues from water, heights or confined spaces. Other discretionary...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: A Resource Opportunity, which sets out our national waste management policy,contains a commitment to complete a review of the respective regulatory and enforcement roles of the Environment Protection Agency and local authorities. A Review Group, established for that purpose in 2013 and comprising representatives from local authorities, the regional waste management offices, the Environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (1 Dec 2015)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 to 580, inclusive, together. Information on social housing units constructed and acquired in respect of all local authorities and approved housing bodies is published on my Department’s website at the following link: