Results 22,261-22,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Domestic Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: It was not a single issue election.

Domestic Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: It just wants to scrap all.

Domestic Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I wish to share time.

Domestic Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: supports the need for significant investment in upgrading Ireland’s public water and wastewater systems and improving the on-going management of the public water resource; notes: — that Irish Water will be retained as a single national utility, in public...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water is responsible for water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or sewers extending from a waterworks or waste water works to the curtilage of a private property. Under sections 43 and 54 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I will prepare and publish a comprehensive ‘Action Plan for Housing’ within this Government’s first 100 days. Ultimately, a shortage of supply of houses and apartments to buy and rent is at the heart of the challenges in the housing sector. The plan will build on what the previous Government has already done and will draw on the work of the Special Oireachtas Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: At the heart of good planning is the creation of strong communities. The 10 principles on which the planning system in Ireland is based are set out clearly in my Department’s Planning Policy Statement published in 2015. Principle No.3 , which is particularly relevant to the issue raised by the Deputy, states: ‘Planning is about creating communities and further developing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government has clearly signalled its intent to support the implementation of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the supply of new quality social housing units as evidenced by the €2.9 billion committed as part of the overall Capital Plan for the period 2016 – 2021 and the wider prioritisation of social housing across the budgetary process over the course of the Strategy....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I met with local authority Chief Executives on 12 May 2016, in order to discuss, amongst other things, the housing situation and in particular boosting supply and the future delivery and implementation of the targets set for the local authorities under the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The meeting provided an opportunity for a very useful exchange of views and I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The new Tenant Incremental Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum. In determining reckonable income, the income of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Water Framework Directive (i.e. Directive 2000/60/EC of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) establishes a common framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. The overall aim of the Directive is to maintain high and good status waters where they exist and to restore...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 48 together. The previous Government’s decision to replace town authorities with a new model of municipal governance was designed to strengthen local government within counties and to address widely acknowledged and long-standing weaknesses and anomalies in the previous system, including divided administration between town and county...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Land Issues (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: In the first instance, I wish to clarify I have no powers in relation to the initiation of Compulsory Purchase Orders, this being the responsibility of the relevant local authorities. However, I believe that the key issue raised by the Deputy’s Question relates to how we find ways to address current housing development and supply issues. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Data (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water customer billing and collection levels are a matter for the utility and one in which I have no function. Irish Water has published information on bill payment levels to the end of its 4th billing cycle on its...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: NAMA Social Housing Provision (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Firstly, in relation to the prospect of the specific transfer of land to local authorities or other state bodies, I have to emphasise that NAMA does not own property or land. Its role in relation to property and land is that of a secured lender.  In that capacity, NAMA requires its debtors and receivers to openly market the sale of properties and land to ensure that the best...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Transport Policy (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: A specific requirement in relation to the preparation of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area is that it has regard to the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), Regional Plans and County Development Plans and this indeed has been the case in the preparation of the 2016-2035 Strategy. In fact, Chapter 2 and Page 16 in particular of the adopted GDA Transport Strategy, clearly set out...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: The private rental sector has grown to become a major component of the housing market, meeting the accommodation needs of approximately 320,000 or one-fifth of all households in the State. Close to one-third of households living in the sector are in receipt of housing support in the form of rent supplement or other State support and, as such , the sector is also of key importance for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Disposal (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Following close consultation with Minister Naughten, I have already publicly stated that I will remove the mandatory minimum pay -by- weight charge for the collection of recyclable (or “green bin”) waste as part of the new household waste collection regime , by means of amending regulations. Collectors of household kerbside waste will not be required under law to charge for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic abuse rests with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the delivery of such services is managed through the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. A housing authority may provide short-term emergency housing to persons who are forced to leave their homes because of domestic violence, without having...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homelessness Strategy (24 May 2016)

Simon Coveney: There is a necessary focus at the moment on providing suitable emergency accommodation for homeless families currently in hotels. However, the Government is fully committed to ending long-term involuntary homelessness through the housing-led approach articulated in the Government’s 2013 Homelessness Policy Statement and through the detailed measures set out in the Government's...