Results 661-680 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Rates (27 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1030 and 1069 together. The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. In order to support the local government sector, my Department is continuing to keep local authority income, expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (20 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1304, 1314, 1316, 1377 and 1378 together. The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. In order to support the local government sector, my Department is continuing to keep local authority income,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (20 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. In order to support the local government sector, my Department is continuing to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will continue to work...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (20 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: Pursuant to the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) is the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the aforementioned Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. Arrangements have been put in place by all State bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (20 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1364, 1391 and 1397 together. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department has taken a number of measures to assist local authorities with the financial difficulties they are experiencing. At the outset and to minimise cash flow challenges, my Department arranged for the early payment of Local Property Tax (LPT) to all local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (13 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, and the making of valuations for rating purposes is his sole responsibility. As Minister, I have no function in relation to decisions in this regard. Under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, the Commissioner is responsible for the provision and maintenance of a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: General Elections (13 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: Electoral law provides that a ballot paper at an election is invalid for a number of reasons: if it does not bear the official mark; does not clearly indicate a first preference for some candidate; indicates a first preference for more than one candidate; or has anything written or marked on it, which in the opinion of the returning officer, is calculated to identify the elector. The results...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (13 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: Following the enactment of the Local Government Act 2019, provisions under Part 18 of the amended Local Government Act 2001, relating to the changing of names of areas, have been commenced and previous provisions, relating to place-name changes, under the Local Government Acts 1946 and 1953, have been repealed. The commencement of the provisions in the Local Government Act 2001, as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (13 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: In January 2015, the National Disability Authority published a report on Voting Trials for Voters with Sight Loss. The Authority noted that the results of the trials did not produce a clear recommendation for a secure voting method that is likely to meet the needs of most voters with sight loss. However, the Authority recommended that ballot paper templates (BPTs) be trialled at a future...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates Exemptions (13 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: 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 Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The Commissioner of Valuation has responsibility for valuation matters, including determination of relevant property under the Acts for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Government Fund (13 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: In 2020, the Exchequer will provide €156.06m to the Local Government Fund (LGF). If this were to be increased by 20%, this would involve an additional cost of €31.2m. The overall income of the LGF in 2020 (including Local Property Tax receipts) is estimated to be €636m; a 20% increase on that overall income base would cost €127.2m.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (13 May 2020)

John Paul Phelan: The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes. In order to support the local government sector in the context of the COVID-19 emergency, my Department is continuing to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates Impact (5 Mar 2020)

John Paul Phelan: I understand the vital role local businesses play in supporting local authorities to deliver services to their communities. Commercial rates, at approximately €1.5bn per annum, make up roughly a third of local government current (revenue) income.  Local authorities are required by law to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Postal Voting (5 Mar 2020)

John Paul Phelan: Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of a number of categories of electors, including electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day.  Other categories of electors who may avail of postal voting are whole-time members of the Defence Forces, members of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Mayoral Election (5 Mar 2020)

John Paul Phelan: The people of Limerick voted in favour of a directly elected Mayor with executive functions for their local authority area in a plebiscite on 24 May 2019. The Local Government Act 2019 requires the Minister to submit to the Oireachtas a report with legislative proposals for a directly elected mayor for Limerick, within two years of the plebiscite vote, i.e. by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Members' Remuneration (5 Mar 2020)

John Paul Phelan: Section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 to 2006 provide that, subject to certain conditions, a person with at least 2 years qualifying service who ceases to be an elected member of a local authority is entitled to receive a gratuity payment at, or after, the age of 50. This is regardless of whether the retirement is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Area Plans (18 Dec 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy English, to correspond or engage directly with the Deputy on the matter. I do not want to enter into any commitments on his behalf, other than to say that he has not changed his view, as pointed out by the Deputy in his initial contribution, on the strategic importance of the development of Celbridge. This is a classic case in the sense that the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Area Plans (18 Dec 2019)

John Paul Phelan: What is the population?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Area Plans (18 Dec 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. As he pointed out, I am taking the debate on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy English, who had a prior commitment. The advancement of housing development in Celbridge and the continued planned growth of this important town in tandem with the supporting infrastructure and amenities required is an important issue. I remember when Celbridge...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Dec 2019)

John Paul Phelan: Deputy Collins is looking for cheap publicity. That is all.