Results 23,201-23,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Following a Government Decision of October 2015, a programme for 500 units of rapid-delivery housing units across the Dublin Region is being implemented to meet the needs of homeless families currently residing in commercial hotels. Under this programme, an initial 22 units at Poppintree, Ballymun, were delivered and fully occupied in May, and another 131 units are expected for completion in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Telephone Call Charges (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Question relates to telecommunications policy and regulation and this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I have no function in relation to the matter raised in the question. I can confirm that my Department has no 1850 numbers or 0818 numbers.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Climate change has been prioritised by the new Government as reflected in the establishment of a new role of Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. However, pending the formal legal transfer of the climate functions from my Department to the new Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment later this week, there is an interim period where...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides, inter alia, for the approval of climate change mitigation and adaptation plans by Government for the purpose of pursuing the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. In relation to adaptation, section 5 of the 2015 Act provides for the making and submission to the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Resettlement Scheme (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has overall responsibility for regional and rural matters and will be advancing a broadly based rural development strategy, in the context of the Programme for a Partnership Government. For my part, the Government yesterday published Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Titles (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform received the approval of Government on Tuesday 19 July 2016 to transfer key environmental functions from me to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with effect from 22 July 2016. The Government also approved the change of name of my Department to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government with...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Seanad for allowing the timely passage of this legislation before the summer recess. We all know the background to this legislation.What I and the Government are trying to do is to create a space and a window of opportunity for a discussion, the input of experts and recommendations to come through an expert commission to an Oireachtas committee. That can then allow us, in nine...

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: How much time do I have?

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is good to see the new Members of the House. I ask Senator Lawless to pass on my good wishes to Billy Jnr. when he sees him.

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am particularly pleased to speak in the Seanad on "Rebuilding Ireland", which we launched yesterday. It is the Government's new action plan for housing and homelessness. This is a very significant effort by the Government to start a process by which, in time, it will fix a broken property market and respond more effectively to the needs of very vulnerable people who find themselves...

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Some Members seem to have been taken by surprise that we were starting so early, so I was just giving them some time. The final pillar of the plan relates to using vacant properties more effectively. There are approximately 200,000 vacant properties in Ireland. Most of them are in areas where there is not a great deal of demand for housing but some of are in areas where there is a demand....

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is an issue.

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: We are addressing that.

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Senator, one cannot do everything in 70 days.

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am conscious of the fact that I spoke for approximately 35 minutes earlier; I will, therefore, be brief.

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: I could repeat what I said, if the Senator wishes, although perhaps not for a full 35 minutes. I will try to answer some of the questions asked. There are elements of the programme which relate to victims of domestic violence, but if the Senator has further suggestions to make, I would like to hear them. Regarding disability issues, I accept the points the Senator made. In this document...

Seanad: Action Plan for Housing: Statements (20 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: Some people will accuse me of making public land available for free to private developers. We are not doing this. We are setting up a partnership to deliver mixed tenure communities. It involves private sector input, as well as local authority or approved housing body input, in order that we can have private houses next to social houses, affordable houses, affordable rental accommodation,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Capital Assistance Scheme Funding (21 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: The funding application from the group referred to in the details supplied is in respect of the construction of 4 new social housing units under the Capital Assistance Scheme. Revised designs for this project proposal were recently received and my Department is currently reviewing these and will be in further contact with the group in question shortly .

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Quality (21 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) produces an annual “Report on Bathing Water Quality”. The 2015 report shows that Ireland’s bathing waters are among the best in northern Europe, with 93.4% meeting EU minimum standards and 74% attaining “excellent” status. The report also identifies several bathing waters adjacent to urban areas, particularly in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage to Rent Scheme Data (21 Jul 2016)

Simon Coveney: There are currently two Mortgage to Rent (MTR) schemes funded by 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 (LAMTR ). The other scheme provides for an Approved Housing Body (AHB) to acquire ownership of a property...