Results 19,521-19,540 of 21,040 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the company the necessary powers to allow it to undertake the water metering programme. Most meters for public utilities are located at the point where the connection enters the household. In the case of water services, under the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Therefore, the issue raised in relation to interview procedures at Offaly County Council are a matter for the Chief Executive of Offaly County Council. Freedom...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. This is a community led scheme, and is administered...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reports (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: My Department ’s Annual Report for 2013 has been published and is available on my Department’s website at .

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Multi-annual Budget Plans (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. My predecessor asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Planning authorities may, when adopting the Development Plan for their areas, adopt policies to curtail an excessive concentration of takeaways in particular areas. Under planning legislation the change of use of any premises to a takeaway or fast food outlet would require planning permission. In deciding whether or not to grant permission for a development, the relevant planning authority...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Administration (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provided the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Charge has operated on a self-assessment basis with an owner of a residential property determining liability and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Procurement Regulations (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 513 together. The proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Governmentseek to position local government "as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Community (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Governmentseek to position local government "as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably". As part...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Community (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: A key principle underlying my Department’s activities is that of enabling communities themselves to identify and address the social and economic needs of their own areas. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat. My Department continues to be responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Qualifications (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Domestic Building Energy Rating assessor training courses, first introduced in 2007, were provided by training providers registered with a National Awards Body recognised under the National Framework of Qualifications. Successful completion of a Further Education and Training Awards Council-approved domestic BER assessor training course led to a Level 6 Special Purpose Award. In November...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Earlier this year, my Department announced details of a new measure, with funding of €15 million, for the refurbishment of vacant and boarded-up local authority houses in order to return these to productive use as quickly as possible. This investment is facilitating the refurbishment of 952 vacant houses across the country. As part of the Government’s €200 million...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 494 together. My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears. However, there is no breakdown of Shared Ownership Mortgages available. The statistics are available on my Department’s website at: by clicking "Mortgage Data/Arrears in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. I asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Unlike the majority of State board appointments, appointments to An Bord Pleanála are full-time executive positions and the appointment process is governed by statutory provisions under the Planning and Developments Acts. The appearance of members of An Bord Pleanála before Oireachtas Committees from time to time is a matter between the Board and the relevant Committee. I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has a robust communications strategy in place to deal with supply interruptions, both planned and unplanned. I am informed that, since April 2014, Irish Water, under the Service Level Agreements negotiated with local authorities, is the main point of contact for queries on supply outages and it organises for the relevant local authority to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 to 500, inclusive, together. Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services including the provision of water services infrastructure. My Department 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...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The pyrite remediation scheme, which was published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in February of 2014, was developed having regard to the recommendations set out in the report of the independent Pyrite Panel and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013. The Panel was established in September 2011 to explore options for a resolution to the problem of pyrite...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Finances (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I refer to the reply to Question No.152 of 8 May 2014. The position is unchanged .

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Development Companies Administration (15 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: There is no intention to subsume local development companies, or LEADER partnerships, into local authority structures. What is envisaged, however, is a more integrated local development model under which local development companies and local authorities implement a more joined-up approach to local and community development programming. This will be brought about through new Local...