Results 2,581-2,600 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Safety Regulations (26 Mar 2019)

Damien English: In the first instance, I would like to acknowledge the stressful circumstances which the owners and residents of buildings face when defects occur in their homes. However, in general, building defects are matters for resolution between the contracting parties involved: the homeowner, the builder, the developer and/or their respective insurers, structural guarantee or warranty scheme....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (26 Mar 2019)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board, and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress, and is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (12 Mar 2019)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 714 together. To date no issues have been brought to the attention of my Department that require changes to building or planning regulations in respect of fire prevention in car parks in which electric vehicles are to be parked. In relation to planning, the current planning system supports the roll out of electric vehicles. The development of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (12 Mar 2019)

Damien English: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (12 Mar 2019)

Damien English: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. Local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of Traveller-specific...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (12 Mar 2019)

Damien English: In the first instance, I would like to acknowledge the stressful circumstances which the owners and residents of buildings face when defects occur in their homes. However, in general, building defects are matters for resolution between the contracting parties involved: the homeowner, the builder, the developer and/or their respective insurers, structural guarantee or warranty scheme. It is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Building Finance Ireland (7 Mar 2019)

Damien English: No.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Building Finance Ireland (7 Mar 2019)

Damien English: We put in place a system and, as the Minister of State in the Department, I have full confidence that this system can prevent a recurrence of what happened in the past. The situation the Deputy is raising will not happen again. That is the difference we have made. Experts in this area all over the world will tell the Deputy that the Irish system is one of the best. Self-certification...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Building Finance Ireland (7 Mar 2019)

Damien English: The Minister has been clear that if somebody can come forward with a roadmap whereby we can intervene and help people, we will look at it. However, we must be very careful about the exposure of the taxpayer.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Building Finance Ireland (7 Mar 2019)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Catherine Martin for raising this issue and acknowledge the distressing situation in which some owners and residents have found themselves, through no fault or their own, due to defects in buildings. It is an ongoing issue which we have debated here, as the Deputy said, over a long number of years. In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Building Finance Ireland (7 Mar 2019)

Damien English: With respect to Deputy Catherine Martin, I had to focus my reply on the main question she submitted for debate. I understand she has other questions to which she wants answer. That is fine. However, the Deputy asked perhaps ten questions and I do not have time to respond to all of that. I had to focus on the charge the Deputy made that the Government had misled people in relation to the...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: It is good to be back in the House. I thank all Senators for the opportunity to discuss this very important issue. Addressing Traveller accommodation is a priority for me and the Department and I am glad we have a chance to discuss the issue, on which we touched in various previous debates. I am conscious that some Senators have been very focused on this area over the past year and have...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: I thank Senators for their comments. Senator Black touched on an important issue when she said that if we do not act to give people the opportunities they deserve, and proper housing conditions, what happened in Carrickmines will happen again. It is most important that we prevent that. There are many other reasons we have to act, as pointed out by various Senators, but providing safe and...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: As Senator Butler stated, there is a need for a cultural change and a change in mindset. We have a great deal of work to do to bring people with us on this journey. I am glad that politicians of all parties are realising their responsibilities. We have a lot of work, however, to do outside of this House to bring other sectors with us on this topic. I reiterate that the figures are not...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: That is fine. The Senator can have all of the figures. No one is trying to hide the figures when we are stating that thousands of children are homeless. We are trying to fix the problem and not hide it.

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: In her comments, the Senator stated that she hoped for more engagement between the committee and Traveller representative bodies. They would welcome that and representatives of some of those bodies are present. There is nothing to stop that engagement happening. We welcome more debate, engagement and opportunities to tease these issues out. There is also nothing stopping the Senator from...

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: I am not legally allowed to direct any committee in what it does. I have asked and suggested. I am glad the committee has responded and is doing that work.

Seanad: Traveller Accommodation: Statements (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: Absolutely. To be clear, I do not direct committees as to what they should do. I ask and I suggest. I am delighted that, through the work of Deputy Ó Broin, the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government has gladly taken on this work. The committee asked to take it on. It has worked with us and is still doing so. I do not direct that committee - I ask and suggest...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Revised) (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: The short answer is that the money is absorbed into the overall housing budget. Naturally, though, it is more focused. The expert panel is due to report in April. It is on track to do that. This committee has worked on the issue as well. We hope to increase capital spending on Traveller-specific accommodation. When we fund general accommodation, that is available to Traveller families...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 34 - Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Revised) (6 Mar 2019)

Damien English: We can do that. New units are provided generally. I can forward the committee the details. Our spend reflects the requests from local authorities and what is required for Traveller accommodation programmes, TAPs. The new TAPs will not start until the new councils take up position. In September 2019, the Deputy will see a new round of TAPs and a five-year plan that sets out the ambitions...