Results 22,601-22,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Development Contributions (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Development contributions allow local authorities to recoup some of the costs to public funds of servicing land for private development . They provide a mechanism by which developers can contribute to the cost of providing public infrastructure and facilities that benefit development in the area and are expended on public infrastructure defined under the Planning Acts. These include the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Finances (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together. Arising from the Government’s commitments in relation to the general government deficit limit, the local government sector’s impact on the General Government Balance (GGB) is required to deliver a neutral position each year. While my Department oversees the contribution of the local government sector to the GGB, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 provide that a vehicle owner may surrender a vehicle licence - that is the motor tax disc that is displayed on vehicles - and apply for a refund in certain limited circumstances, including where a vehicle has been scrapped or destroyed. The Regulations provide that a vehicle licence must be surrendered not less...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing for People with Disabilities Provision (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department is providing €2.3 million through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to Monaghan County Council for the construction by Castleblayney Care Housing Association of 18 units of accommodation at Drumilliard, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, to cater for persons with disabilities. This is made up of 10 two bed units and an 8 unit group home. I understand that this project...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Burial Grounds (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department has policy and legislative responsibility in respect of the regulation of local authority burial grounds. The Dublin Cemeteries Committee was set up under a Private Act, the Dublin Cemeteries Committee Act 1970, which replaced an earlier Private Act of 1846. The 1970 Act empowers the said Committee to provide, operate and maintain cemeteries in the Dublin area and undertake...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Functions (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: By virtue of the Constitution as well as the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, Ministers are responsible and accountable to the Oireachtas for the administration of Departments of State. In practice, except in respect of certain powers and issues of significant importance where the Minister is required to act personally, the powers and duties of Ministers are normally exercised under the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed: - the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments, - a mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Energy Efficiency (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Local authorities are currently undertaking an ambitious programme of insulation retrofitting, with the support of my Department, on the least energy efficient social homes. Funding of some €85 million has been provided from 2013 to end-2015 to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in over 46,000 local authority homes, benefitting those at risk of fuel poverty and making a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Improvement Works in lieu of Local Authority Housing Scheme (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Improvement Works in lieu of Local Authority Housing (IWILs) scheme provides funding to local authorities to improve or extend privately-owned accommodation, which is occupied or intended to be occupied by an applicant approved for social housing, as an alternative to the provision of social housing. The local authority undertakes the improvement work and then charges the housing...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: It has not yet taken effect.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to wait if others wish to contribute.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: On a point of information, some of what I will say in response to the debate might assuage some of the concerns that have been expressed so far and may impact on Senators' contributions afterwards. It is up to Members to decide but I can respond at the end of the debate or do so now.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: That is fine. It is up to the House to decide ---

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have no issue with that.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have no issue with that.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have no problem when I come into the debate. My understanding is that there are another two speakers before Senator Landy.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I think it might be helpful if I made a contribution in the middle of the debate. I am staying to the end and will listen to what Members have to say. It may influence what some Members say if they hear the Government’s perspective and build on some of the matters referred to by Senator Coffey. I also want to clarify some of the issues raised because they are not valid concerns....

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015 require waste collectors to provide brown bins on a phased basis in areas designated for brown bin collection. If waste collectors fail to provide such a bin service in a designated area, the regulation can and will be enforced by local authorities. Whether the statutory instrument is annulled today, it will make no...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Senator David Norris raised the State’s role regarding waste collection companies. It is around assessing permit applications. Mergers between companies are not a matter for local authorities or for me. The consequence of a merger may well impact on waste collection but this is a competition and mergers issue. There has yet to be any decision or ruling from the Competition and...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Senators should be aware that SI No. 24/2016, which Sinn Féin is proposing to annul, does not simply deal with the introduction of mandatory pay-by-weight charging but includes a range of other vital provisions and reforms for household waste collection, permitting and requirements. There are serious consequences to annulling this statutory instrument, for whatever reason. The...