Results 3,541-3,560 of 4,873 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (17 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: 653. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria which are applied to the long-term illness scheme; if Addison’s disease will be included in the scheme; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24190/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Insurance Coverage (12 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I am aware of the challenges facing owners of thatched buildings in respect of securing insurance for their homes. Both Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage plan, and A Living Tradition, the new vernacular architectural heritage strategy, contain actions to address the issue of insurance of protected structures, including thatched buildings. Officials in my Department are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Construction Industry (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome the pupils to the Visitors Gallery. It is always fantastic when students come to the Houses and see how our democracy works, so they are very welcome. A key priority for the Government is that everybody should have access to sustainable, good-quality housing for purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard, located close to essential services and offering a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Construction Industry (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator and commend him on consistently raising this issue in the House, which has been important. There was a debate last night in the Dáil on housing affordability, at which one side of the House argued we were subsidising too much for the construction sector while others maintained we were not doing enough. The Government is trying to strike a balance and that is what we...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I support all the Senator's comments on the historic regeneration of Castlebar town under our town centre first policy. It is critical that we support projects like this and it is what the funding is doing. It is a similar case with Castlebar Military Barracks. The Senator had a military career in those barracks. I was born in James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny and I grew up on the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator's final comment. It is critical for the Department to engage in such a way.I will revert to the Senator with a response on that. Appropriate cost control is important, given the inflationary pressures, which were mentioned in the previous Commencement matter as well. We are in exceptional times and it requires a high level of engagement between our...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Monuments Service of my Department has commissioned a wide ranging and detailed study of historic battlefields up to and including those of the 1798 Rebellion, known as the Irish Battlefields Project. I am pleased to be able to advise the Deputy that over the last year substantial progress has been made towards formal publication of the detailed results of that project. In the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) administers a number of grant schemes, including the Local Biodiversity Action Fund and the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme, to assist locally led biodiversity projects throughout the country. Appropriately sited and installed structures may be eligible for funding under these schemes subject to the criteria of the scheme and...

Affordable Housing: Motion [Private Members] (10 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Regarding the point raised by Deputy Cian O'Callaghan concerning carbon budgets, all developments are now covered by building regulations and energy standards. We had two contributions that said we are giving too much to developers, while others said we are not giving enough. The LIHAF scheme is important in frontloading infrastructure. Deputy Verona Murphy made disgraceful comments...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 67 together. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo. Increasing housing supply and addressing homelessness is a priority for the Government and we will continue to support all local authorities, including Galway City Council and Galway County Council, to deliver on this agenda. Housing For All sets out...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy makes valid and useful points. The task force that the Government has set up, which will meet next week, and the response immediately is being led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth but all Departments are playing a significant role in that regard. The issue of holiday homes is being considered and the subcommittee will look at that as...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Specifically in relation to State land, "No" is the answer. We will be using the emergency provisions of section 181(2) of the Planning and Development Act to deliver that because this is a crisis situation. We are exploring other potential planning regulations which may allow for a range of developments to provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees without the need for planning...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist. The increase in homelessness seen in recent months is of serious concern to the Government and we are acting to address it. While significant work has been done, there is still considerably more work to be done. There are a myriad of reasons for the increase, including landlords leaving the market, which I think the Minister referred...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I have researched the operation of the policy in Cork City Council and Cork County Council. They have advised that if persons present with a notice to quit, they will engage immediately. The notice to quit will be sent to Threshold for verification. Once that is validated, Cork City Council or Cork County Council will support the tenant with services such as HAP place finder. If a tenant...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Homeless Persons Supports (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: There should be a standardised approach. Our Department funds Threshold, so if the Deputy and clients are not finding this to be the case on the ground, it should be the case. They should have that support immediately, and in advance if they are at risk of homelessness or find themselves with a notice to quit. It is critical that all local authorities have that standardised approach.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is leading the initial humanitarian response, including providing immediate and short-term accommodation for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, my Department is focusing on the longer-term accommodation challenges and is leading cross-Government efforts through a housing task force...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The May 2021 report of the Moore Street Advisory Group recommended that an adequate and appropriately structured compensation package should be put in place for the Moore Street traders as soon as possible. My Department was at no time directly engaged in talks with the traders.  My Department had engaged in some limited preliminary talks, led by Dublin City Council, regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Commission (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - "Our Shared Future" - commits to several electoral reform initiatives, including the establishment of an Electoral Commission. In order to progress this broad reform agenda, my Department prepared a general scheme of an Electoral Reform Bill and this general scheme was published on 8 January 2021 and was forwarded at that time to the Joint Oireachtas Committee...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Oldcourt Castle is a national monument in private ownership on private lands. The National Monuments Service of my Department received reports of vandalism at the site in 2020 and again in 2021.  My Department carried out inspections at the site and advised the owners appropriately. My Department has not received any reports of vandalism at the site this year.    The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: State Properties (5 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: In a legal transaction and conveyancing managed by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office the freehold ownership of this building along with three other buildings was acquired by the State from the previous owner in 2015. This acquisition and conveyance of freehold title was not subject to any encumbrance, leasehold interest or title burden. No lease of any description has been...