Results 2,161-2,180 of 2,183 for speaker:John Cummins

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Service (13 May 2025)

John Cummins: I again thank Senator Scahill. I too want to put on record my thanks to all the fire service personnel in the country who, when we often go in the opposite direction, run into danger in order to try to protect lives. I confirm that a second external validation group review - No. 2 - has been commissioned by the management board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (13 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Senator Duffy for his kind words, which I appreciate, and for giving me an opportunity to update the House on planning legislation and particularly applications by Uisce Éireann. While the Planning and Development Act 2024 was signed into law in October 2024, its provisions have not yet been commenced. Until all of it is in place, the 2000 Act will remain in force. All...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (13 May 2025)

John Cummins: It is about that. It is about unlocking development in our smaller towns and villages. Anything that can speed up the process is being considered. That is not to ignore requirements. As regards EIAs and those towns above 10,000 in population, I have set out that there is limited scope because it goes to the board and goes through that statutory process, whether it is through the local...

Seanad: National Biodiversity Week: Statements (14 May 2025)

John Cummins: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad to mark the launch of National Biodiversity Week 2025 and to speak on an issue that is vital to all of us and our future, namely, the preservation of our biodiversity. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, would have liked to have been here but sends his apologies. Unfortunately, he had a bereavement in his family and I am sure all here...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authorities (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: There is no point in shouting down the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authorities (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Deputy Gould for raising this important matter. There is no question that utilising existing stock at a time of such need is just as important as developing new social housing stock. The programme for Government commits to the introduction of a new voids programme and also to supporting the ongoing work to transition to a strategic and informed maintenance approach to the management...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authorities (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: The Deputy's question asked about planned maintenance, so that is the answer I gave. We want to move towards more of a planned maintenance approach, which is appropriate. We do not want to see voids left for significant periods. Huge amounts of money have been spent in the voids programme but we want to move to a planned maintenance approach so that we can re-let council properties and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authorities (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I did not say that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authorities (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I would appreciate if the Deputy did not misrepresent me on the floor of the Dáil. What I actually said was that we wanted to move to a more planned maintenance approach. It is not that we are eliminating the voids programme. We have spent a considerable amount of money on it over the past number of years and will continue to do so, but we want a more planned maintenance approach and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Local Authorities (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I did not interrupt Deputy Gould. Is he going to continue shouting people down? If the Deputy asks a question, I would appreciate it if he gave me the respect of being able to answer it. From 2022, to the end of 2024, local authorities carried out approximately 5,793 stock condition surveys. In 2025, more than €10 million has been provided to local authorities for planned...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. We have spoken several times about this. He is passionate and anxious to see what has been agreed under the NPF translated into the local development plans, as am I and as is the Minister. The final revised NPF was approved by Government in April and passed by the Oireachtas last week. This concluded the revision process and allows the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy. I hear the point he is raising. There is a statutory process in terms of varying county development plans. It is a reserved function of members. We will be issuing clear direction on a local authority-by-local authority basis in terms of the expectations and quantum of zoned land that will be required. There will be headroom. We are working on finalising the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: This has to be a priority for everyone. It is not just for us in here but for every local authority member and executive. We will be very clear in that. The Minister, Deputy Browne, and I are visiting local authorities. This is a top priority for us and we will ensure what has been agreed by those in this Chamber and in the Seanad is translated as quickly as possible into development...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Deputy Gould for raising this important issue. I know he is passionate about it, as am I. We sat on the joint committee together previously. This is an issue that the Deputy raises consistently. Both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I are committed to ensuring that it is addressed. We are reviewing the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act through engagement with local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: As the Deputy knows, enforcement of the levy is a matter for local authorities. I see the carrot-and-stick approach having worked to pretty good effect in some local authorities. What I am talking about is the carrot of the likes of the repair and lease scheme, which has worked exceptionally well in my county of Waterford. About 50% of the national total of repair lease units have been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank Deputies Gould and Burke. I was going to reference the CPO piece in my response. CPOs are a useful tool to be able to claim title, as Deputy Burke rightly pointed out. We have given significant resources to local authorities under call 3 of the URDF, specifically for a CPO programme. In the context of the local authorities I have visited so far, I have asked why they are not using...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Government Reform (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I propose to take Question Nos. 15 and 111 together. I thank the Deputy for his interest in this matter. Having served in local government for 11 years, I value the role of our councillors and of local democracy. This specific commitment is contained in the programme for Government. I have worked extensively on this since taking up this role a number of weeks ago. Both the Minister,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Government Reform (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: Briefly, I am working to finalise the terms of reference of the local democracy task force to bring them to Government as quickly as possible. I want to see this task force established as quickly as possible. We are working on the terms of reference and I hope to see that body of work as soon as possible to be able to present options to Government for consideration.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Obviously, regarding the retention or otherwise of rent pressure zones options are being provided to the Minister. Those options are under consideration. The Government is committed to the delivery of more affordable homes. Cost rental has a key part to play in that regard. We have seen a significant ramp-up in activity on the part of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy. Allocations have been made to local authorities in the last week in relation to housing adaptation grants. There has been significant change in grants following a review last year. The mobility aid grant has gone from €6,000 to €8,000, the housing aid for older persons grant has increased from €8,000 to €10,700 and the housing adaptation...