Results 19,861-19,880 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Ireland has an ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction target under the 2009 EU Effort-Sharing Decision (406/2009/EC) for each year between 2013 and 2020.  The extent of the challenge posed by these emission reduction targets is well understood by Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development and the General...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Unfinished Housing Developments Data (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Budget 2014 contains a special provision, in the form of a targeted €10m Special Resolution Fund (SRF), to assist further in addressing the legacy of unfinished housing developments. The SRF is designed to encourage the resolution of the remaining tranche of unfinished developments identified in the National Housing Development Survey 2013 and, particularly, those developments not...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Service (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Data (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The information requested is set out in the tables below. Department Appointments Grade No of Appointments Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary General 5 Principal Officer 13 Assistant Principal Officer 19 Higher Executive Officer 2 Executive Officer 15 Staff Officer 1 Clerical Officer 3 Special Adviser* 5 Personal Assistant * 6 Personal Secretary* 6 ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: In accordance with the Haddington Road Agreement 37 staff in my Department have been subject to a deferral of an incremental payment of between 3 and 6 months in 2014. In addition, incremental progression has been suspended for 3 years in respect of 2 further staff at my Department. The corresponding information in terms of Agencies and Local Authorities is not held in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: There were 28 officers in my Department availing of career breaks at the time the Haddington Road Agreement came into effect on 1 July 2013. The present status of these officers is as follows: 9 returned to a position in my Department shortly after the period of their career break expired as they had indicated they wished to do so; a further 2 officers were facilitated in a position in...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I commend the Deputy on his passion for this issue which he has raised on many occasions before. We will continue to deliver social housing units from all available sources. I am acutely aware of the difficulties caused by rising rents and the problems of sourcing suitable accommodation, particularly in Dublin, but also in other urban areas and large towns. I am looking at all finance...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank Deputy Broughan for his good wishes. I appreciate them. Deputy Broughan may have heard it before but I personally am determined to deal with this issue for many of the reasons he stated. It has been re-prioritised by Government. It is a top priority. I will give all the hours I can to try and deal with this issue because it is wrong that we have such a housing situation in this...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I sincerely thank everyone for his or her good wishes, which I appreciate. The Bill is very technical. I ask for support for it on the basis that whether one likes the legislation or not, the democratic process must continue. We can debate the merits and demerits of the process in place, but that is what is there at the moment and it must be initiated. I thank the Members who are...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: It is time to move on the debate to what we are going to do rather than to shout about various options. I intend to push up the ladder the agenda of Seanad reform instead of talking about doing something. There has been enough debate and commentary on it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I will look at everything. Colleagues will know as I have sat among them and sometimes get into trouble for it that I am a straight shooter and say things as they are and as clearly as I can. I will continue to do so. That is a commitment I make. I will not sit here and say I can change the world in relation to Seanad reform, but I say that I will look thoroughly at the matter. I was...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I used to sit in the Senator's seat.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Absolutely. Very happy memories.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: My daughter bought this one for me.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: This is my fourth time in the Seanad this week.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: The purpose of the Bill is to provide that the Clerk Assistant of the Dáil will perform the functions of the Clerk of the Dáil under the Electoral Acts whenever the post of Clerk of the Dáil is vacant or the Clerk is not available through illness, absence or other cause to fulfil the relevant duties and that the Clerk Assistant of the Seanad will perform the functions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455, 463 and 499 together. 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. During 2013, officials in my Department carried out a review of the scheme, which found that it has fulfilled its...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Under Section 10 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, an exemption from liability can arise for properties located in developments prescribed on a list made by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, where the Minister is satisfied that the developments on the list are incomplete to a substantial extent, having regard to the condition of public...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage to Rent Scheme Applications (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Under the mortgage-to-rent scheme in operation through my Department, 64 cases have completed with tenancy agreements signed. In respect of 42 of these units all legal agreements with the local authority have been signed with payments being made or having been made by my Department. A further 122 are at an advanced stage of negotiation , with full funding approval having been issued by my...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: Under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), planning authorities must have regard to my Department’s 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, when considering planning applications for such developments. The Guidelines provide advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy development through the development plan and development management...