Results 22,201-22,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The decision as to whether a household qualifies for social housing support and can be placed on a housing list is solely a matter for the housing authority concerned in accordance with Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. My Department does not hold information on the number of applicant households for social housing support or the number of households...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: While the advices referred to have not yet been received in my Department, it is understood that they are imminent. My Department will on receipt of the advices, in consultation with the State’s legal services, determine the appropriate next steps.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The expert panel on concrete blocks has met on two occasions since it was established early last month and also met last week with a number of affected homeowners in Donegal in order to view first-hand the problems that have emerged in their homes and to seek any additional information that may be available to better inform the panel of the nature of the problems that have emerged in the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Legislative Measures (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (now Ervia), conforming to the conditions contained in the Act and registered under the Companies Acts. As Irish Water is a State owned company, the board members of Irish Water or Ervia cannot purchase shares in Irish Water. Section 5 of the Water Services Act 2013,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Administration (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provided the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Charge has operated on a self-assessment basis with an owner of a residential property determining liability and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reviews (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The chairpersons of the committees which are reviewing the boundaries at Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford have indicated that further work is required in order to complete the reviews, including work arising from the large volume of submissions received on foot of public consultations. My Department is in communication with the chairpersons regarding the additional timescale involved...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Finances (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme is overseen by the Mortgage Protection Committee which is a sub-committee of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and is representative of the CCMA, local authorities, the Housing Finance Agency and my Department. The group policy is a commercial insurance product which is procured in accordance with EU procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety Regulations (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I understand that Waterford City and County Council is liaising with the residents of the Ceol na Mara development on an ongoing basis in an effort to be of support and assistance to residents at this difficult time. Part B of the Building Regulations sets out the statutory standards of fire safety that apply when a new building is constructed in order to ensure the safety of persons in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of concerns regarding discharges at Doldrum Bay in Howth, County Dublin. However, neither I nor my Department has any role in monitoring or supervising the delivery of water services or any pollution incidents arising therefrom. Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Yield (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Total motor tax receipts from 2014 to the end of April 2016 are set out in the following table. Year Motor Tax Receipts € 2014 1,159,331,931 2015 1,124,351,806 To the end of April 2016 386,951,283 Income from Motor Tax currently accrues to the Local Government Fund. When established, one of the purposes for which the Fund was used was to provide General Purpose Grant...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Grants (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Grants are available to assist low-income householders with the cost of replacing lead pipes and fittings within the boundaries of their principal private residence. Only the cost of replacement works constitutes qualifying expenditure. Assessment costs do not qualify for grant aid. The scheme is administered by the local authorities and its key features are as follows: - Households with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage to Rent Scheme Eligibility (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 to 429, inclusive, together. There are currently two Mortgage to Rent (MTR) schemes in operation through my Department. A scheme exists whereby a local authority (LA) can acquire ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant (LA- mortgage-to-rent)....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Credit Union Lending (17 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The agreed Programme for a Partnership Governmentrecognises the potential role that credit unions can play in housing finance and supports the efforts of the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank to gradually lift current lending restrictions as appropriate, including for housing. The Programme further provides that we will investigate with all stakeholders how credit unions can...

Adjournment Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (18 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will receive a copy of the official response, but I will begin by answering some of his questions directly. I have been speaking to a number of people who are sleeping rough in Dublin who are looking for hostel accommodation and Brú Aimsir is a popular choice. It is seen as safe and as of one of the higher standard hostels available for people looking for sheltered...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Event Licensing Regulations (18 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 111 together. My Department does not issue licences for the type of event referred to in the Questions. The organisers should contact the local authority concerned in relation to any necessary temporary road closures, the local Superintendent of An Garda Síochána, the local office of the Health Service Executive and any other...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (18 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The selection of applications and the provision of funding under the LEADER Programme 2014-2020 will be a matter solely for the local action group selected to implement the local development strategy in its area. My Department has no role in this regard. I can confirm, however, that an inquiry for funding under the new programme has been received from the organisation referred to in the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Commission Establishment (18 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: In 2015, on the basis of a consultation paper prepared by my Department, and at the invitation of the then Minister, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht undertook a public consultation process on the establishment of an electoral commission. The Committee published a report on the consultation in January 2016. This report contains a series of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rights of Way Provision (18 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Section 7 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 requires the inclusion of a mandatory objective in an area’s development plan for “the preservation of public rights of way which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility, which public rights of way shall be identified both by marking them on at...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (18 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Funding is available under my Department’s Rural Water Programme towards the provision or necessary improvement of an individual water supply in a house. Local authorities were informed of the introduction of the grant scheme and the criteria to be met by way of Circular Letter L8/97 of April 1997. The terms and conditions of the scheme are set out in an Explanatory Memorandum which...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: National Planning Framework (18 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The current National Spatial Strategy, NSS, was published in 2002 and was Ireland's first national strategic spatial planning framework set ting an overarching planning framework. The Strategy remains in force and as a result of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, its statutory role and influence has been strengthened by new requirements for local authority and regional plans...