Results 2,161-2,180 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue today and giving me an opportunity to outline the position in respect to Uisce Éireann’s responsibility on this issue. The Water Services Acts 2007-20 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I remind the Deputy that the progression of individual wastewater infrastructure is a matter for Uisce Éireann. There are dedicated lines for us to make those representations. The scope of the Kilcummin sewerage scheme included the installation of a sewer network and the construction of a pumping station. The scope did not include the provision of wastewater connections to residents...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: It is a fair point.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wildlife Conservation (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy. I will outline the general issues around invasive species. What the Deputy has highlighted is a serious imbalance in nature in general across the country because of habitats, invasive species and other challenges. It is an important issue. Our Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wildlife Conservation (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: On the cormorant, we have a significant challenge in terms of data on many species, be they birds, plants or insects. Fishing and angling groups and gun clubs are on the ground day in and day out and they could be of use to us in gathering data on cormorant numbers. That would be most helpful. That is something we will give consideration to. We have a huge challenge with invasive...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grants (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I also start with best wishes for International Women's Day. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I know from my own county that this a hugely beneficial grant scheme. I recognise the challenges raised by the Senator, particularly as construction costs continue to rise. My Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of housing adaptation grants for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grants (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Cuirim fáilte rompu; it is great to have them here. Listening carefully to the points the Senator made, I know from my local authority that these grants are transformative. They improve the quality of life of older people and the critical thing is to keep people living in their homes for longer and in an independent way. That is why the grants have been hugely impactful in the ten...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo a ardú. First, planning authorities are required to have a policy on taking in charge within their respective functional areas in accordance with planning circular PD 1/08, which was issued by my Department on 26 February 2008. Second, the legislative process for the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am taking the question on behalf of my Department so I am the appropriate Minister of State. The question specifically related to taking in charge and the taking in charge process. I am not sure whether Senator Gallagher mentioned issues with Uisce Éireann in a supplementary to that. In that regard and by way of reassurance, I will meet with Uisce Éireann representatives in a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Adult children living with their parents can apply for and be deemed to qualify for social housing support, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria set down in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated social housing assessment regulations. Once qualified, such applicants are automatically placed on the relevant local authority waiting list. They do not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy. Again just to state, it is down to the constituent local authorities to deem the priorities for eligibility for social housing. They do that very effectively throughout the country, and that is critically important. The fact is adult children can be and are deemed to qualify for social housing support in the Deputy's county, County Louth. Some 355 households or 27% of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The issue is certainly not coming from a want in our Department. In terms of the schemes and capital acquisitions, I believe there will be 1,500 this year, and the Minister has given a commitment to pushing that forward if the demand exists. Regarding the prioritisation of applicants in accordance with the local authority's allocation scheme, it is the reserved function of the elected...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the point the Deputy makes but the critical point is that the responsibility lies with individual local authorities. The schemes, supports and certainly the funding are in place but local authorities need to be proactive in this regard.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines, which the Deputy referenced. The review is addressing a number of key aspects, including noise, set-back distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. I am aware there are a great many applications throughout the country. Guidance on the noise...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I stress that, whatever the project, be it a wind energy project or any development, it is critically important and there is a need for the proposers of a project to engage in a meaningful way. There is an obligation to do so under the public participation directive in the Aarhaus Convention. It is important to stress that it is no longer good enough just to drop leaflets in letterboxes....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: While I will not go into the specifics of any application, the three Ministers here are in full agreement that it is unacceptable that there is this lack of engagement. It is critically important, and I will stress this again, that engagement is meaningful, timely, done at preplanning stage and in a way that is participative and inclusive. Any proposer of any project needs to adhere to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Housing for All is the Government's housing plan to 2030. The aim is to deliver an average of 33,000 new homes a year over the lifetime of this plan. Objective 26.1 is to "Establish a working group to consider opportunities for transport-led development in major urban centres" comprising membership from my Department, the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly. In preparation for today’s questions, I looked at the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, report into transport-orientated development and the need, throughout central and local government, to align it through the sustainable development goals, in particular those relating to sustainable cities and communities, the national planning framework and, as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I agree wholeheartedly. The Department has invested significant moneys from the URDF in the Opera site in Limerick. This is not just about the large urban centres; it is also about smaller urban centres. Road projects and, perhaps, unsustainable projects in some locations will need to be reconsidered. The NESC research is clear. It states that we must build on the vision set out...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Under the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 sets out the general objective of reversing biodiversity loss, so that Europe's biodiversity is on the path to recovery by 2030 and that by 2050 all of the EU’s ecosystems are restored, resilient and x adequately protected. One of the commitments in the Biodiversity Strategy is a proposal for legally binding EU...