Results 4,121-4,140 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (1 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Following the Government Decision on the transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions last week, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media no longer has a role in this matter. The assessment on the imperative reasons of overriding public interest will be completed in tandem with the provision of advice as to whether the compensatory measures...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (30 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 107 together. I refer the Deputy back to the Topical Issue, To discuss the exclusion of Early Monastic Sites from Ireland’s Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, debated in the Dáil on the 26 May 2021 which outlined the processes, supports, and engagements that have been part of the advancement of the revised Tentative List of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (30 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 265. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a significant time difference between when HIQA reports on facilities (details supplied) are shared with their service providers and when they are shared with their service users; if he is satisfied with such delays; if it is possible that all relevant stakeholders of such facilities will be informed of HIQA...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Seanadóir. I thank Senator Kyne for raising this important issue. I am pleased to announce that after three years of negotiation, a final political agreement on the main elements of the next Common Agricultural Policy was agreed by the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg yesterday. This has been a long and challenging negotiation. The overall agreement...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I confirm to Senator Kyne that the discussions that have been ongoing between our agri-ecology unit in the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have been positive in designing a CAP strategic plan that is fit for purpose for nature and for people, because this is ultimately about the needs of people and of farming communities. I have had...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and for the opportunity to provide an update on the midlands retrofit pilot programme, which is a Government initiative under the just transition programme. The midlands retrofit pilot project is an important part of the just transition programme, which needs to be facilitated in the context of Bord na Móna's exit from peat and the direct...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As I stated, all the decisions relating to the selection of homes and for the programme of works to be completed are a matter for the local authority, in this case, Kildare County Council. I have stated that the replacement of windows and doors, airtightness and the taping of sealant to windows is part of the programme. The issue needs to be resolved between my Department and Kildare County...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators O'Reilly and Chambers for bringing forward this matter. As Senator O'Reilly quite rightly said, this is about town centres, sustainable transport, balanced regional development and tackling climate change. This is an important matter. As the Senators will be aware, the Minister is a firm believer in the positive potential of increased and expanded sustainable mobility...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Senator O'Reilly made excellent and valid points about this. I am of the view, as is the Minister, that the strategic rail review will be conducted on an all-island basis, will identify those needs the Senator has spoken about and will be carried out with the support of the Northern Ireland Executive to provide a much more holistic overview of what is required. It will seek to address the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Heritage Council, which is funded my Department, runs the annual Community Heritage Grants Scheme, for which the organisation in question may be eligible to apply. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Architectural Heritage (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is responsible for the protection, preservation and conservation of our built heritage assets. Historic country houses are unique and irreplaceable repositories of architecture, art, history and culture. I appreciate the intrinsic, artistic, ecological, social and economic value of our historic houses and their associated landscapes. They are also an essential component of our...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Budgets (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In relation to the 3 specific subheads mentioned and the difference in the purpose of each, I can advise the following: 1.The Built Heritage sub-head, F4, makes provision for the Built Heritage Capital and Current Programmes, including the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and two capital grant schemes - the Community Monuments Fund (CMF)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support through the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) for certain works relating to conservation and promotion at archaeological monuments. This year, funding was allocated to 139 projects across all local authorities to a value of just over €4.2m. It is hoped that this scheme will run again in 2022. Conditions and criteria for eligibility for application...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to some of the points that have been made as I have been frantically taking notes. I thank the Green Party Senators - Senators Garvey, Pauline O'Reilly, Martin and Hackett - for introducing the Bill. All contributors made the point about power being given back to communities and young people in our schools, not just as a demonstration but as tangible projects they can be...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I do not think so. Senator Martin spoke about climate justice. This is about doing the correct thing in this country but it also has a positive impact on developing countries. I hope I have given a reasonable summary of the questions raised by Senators. I thank the Green Party Senators for bringing forward this Private Members' Bill relating to planning exemptions for solar panels. I can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct. I see many of these properties as I travel across the country, not just in the west but all over. As I said, it is important that we use every mechanism possible to unlock the potential and get them back into productive use. Specifically, around the town centres, we are looking at four specific areas around governance, enabling economic and social purpose, a new...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for the question. The Government set out its housing priorities in the programme for Government across numerous areas, including homelessness, affordable home ownership, private and social housing delivery, rent reform and planning. My Department is focusing on moving those priorities forward. To deliver on these commitments, I will publish a new housing policy and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has made excellent suggestions that should be given consideration. The Government and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, are considering, as a part of the town centres first initiative, a suite of measures that will support and unlock much of that potential. Deputies across the House have spoken about the need to unlock the potential in our smaller town centres and on our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Parks and Wildlife Service (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As I stated, the first intake of 20 rangers will be deployed in the coming weeks. On the specific issue of responding to particular incidents, yesterday the Minister and I were able to sign off on a memorandum of understanding with An Garda Síochána on tackling wildlife crime. This will bring a more strategic approach to the work we are doing. Later this year we will establish a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Parks and Wildlife Service (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have been there three times and will hopefully be back there again to see the natterjack toads in a few weeks time. To respond to Deputies Griffin and Ó Cathasaigh on the sustainability of the jobs, as the Deputies will be aware we are in a process of reviewing the NPWS. Hopefully the outcome of that review will look at the sustainability of career paths within the NPWS. In...