Results 23,941-23,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is set out in the following table. The reply to Question No 611 of 16 September 2016 reflects the position at 31 December 2015, but as the numbers in the CO2fleet are increasing month on month, an additional column with the numbers taxed as at 30 September 2016 is also included. Band CO2 emissions No. of vehicles at 31 December 2015 No. of vehicles at 30...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I understand that Tipperary County Council is seeking to purchase a site for the purposes of developing a new town park and related facilities at Newport. The estimated cost of the overall development is €650,000, which includes site acquisition costs. My Department approved funding of €325,000 in August 2016, on a matching funds basis, with the balance to be provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Agriculture Industry (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department has responsibility for the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014. These Regulations set requirements for all land-spreading, including the spreading of sewage sludge, and are designed to provide additional protection to waters from agricultural sources. They include measures such as set periods when the land spreading of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Funding approval is already in place from my Department for the construction by Galway City Council of a total of 69 new social houses at Ballymoneen Road at an estimated cost of over €14 million. I understand that the first phase of this project to deliver 14 new houses is scheduled to commence on site shortly, while the second phase to deliver a minimum of 55 houses is at design...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Records (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: There are no contingent assets in my Department. All amounts owed to my Department at the end of the financial year (31 December) are recorded in the national accounts as assets under Accrued Income as per the statement of accounting policies and principles for appropriation accounts. The most recent Appropriation Account for my Department is in respect of the year ended 31 December 2015...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I refer to the reply given to Question No. 167 of 2 November 2016 which outlines the position in relation to this matter. Since that reply issued, the First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November, and can be accessed through the following link:- .

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together. The objective of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to encourage support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the Scheme towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Protection of Tenants in Receipt of Rental Supports (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These specify requirements in relation to a range of matters such as structural repair, sanitary facilities,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Potential (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is not appropriate for me to comment directly on an application that will come before me for determination. However, I can advise that the person referred to in the Question met this week with senior officials in my Department’s Marine Planning and Foreshore Unit and set out in detail his proposals.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Compulsory Purchase Orders (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have not been made aware by local authorities or An Bord Pleanála of any difficulties or issues regarding the procedures for the compulsory acquisition of land at dangerous locations along regional and local roads for road enhancement purposes, and I have not received any request to amend the relevant procedures in this regard which are set out in the Housing Act 1966, as amended....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 174, inclusive, together. In making my decision not to issue a Direction to Meath County Council in relation to the zoning issue referred to, I considered all of the relevant information available to me. This included the Council Chief Executive’s report, and recommendations on the submissions received relating to the draft direction. I took...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation Provision (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 177, inclusive, together. Edel House is a facility owned and operated by Good Shepherd Services, which provides emergency accommodation for women and children that are homeless and also residential accommodation for teenage girls who are out of home for various reasons. Good Shepherd Services submitted a capital development proposal to my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Provision (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: In response to the level of demand for social housing, the Government has identified a range of actions in order to deliver additional housing units through a variety of new-build and acquisition mechanisms, as well as leasing arrangements and tackling vacant stock. In the case of Cork, in 2016, Cork City are on target to deliver 78 units under the acquisitions programme and 255 units under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together. My Department’s Community & Voluntary Supports & Programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. This programme supports 21 Volunteer Centres and 8 Volunteer Information Services, as well as a number of national organisations, including Volunteer Ireland. Over...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Data (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy. However, in May 2016, the Housing Agency presented a paper in relation to vacant homes in Ireland to the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness which – on the basis of the 2011 Census – indicated there were 230,056 unoccupied residential properties (excluding holiday homes) across the State....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 287 together. To be taxed as a commercial vehicle, a vehicle must be constructed as a goods vehicle and must be used solely in the course of trade or business. Licensing authorities have an obligation under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 to be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 came into effect on 1 July 2013. The primary purpose of the Act is to replace the system whereby a vehicle was declared off the road retrospectively with a system under which the vehicle must be declared off the road in advance. The system of making retrospective declarations had become a means of evasion of motor tax estimated to have cost some...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas, including the management of dog pounds or shelters and my Department has no involvement in this process. In this regard, section 15(2) of the 1986 Act empowers local authorities to enter into arrangements with any person for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Longford County Council recently advertised for proposals to deliver social housing in their administrative area. As with all such publicly advertised processes and in line with public procurement arrangements, the local authority has undertaken an assessment of the proposals received and has proposed the advancement of a particular project for social housing delivery. A decision on this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Agency Portfolio (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 355 together. With the demand for additional social housing units to be delivered at an accelerated pace, initiatives which provide greater efficiency in the delivery of those units are vital. In particular, engaging with banks and investment companies in respect of their vacant/available property portfolios, which normally span a number of local...