Results 2,421-2,440 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Applications from homeowners for inclusion in the pyrite remediation scheme must be assessed against the eligibility criteria of the scheme , which include a requirement that the applicant has no other practicable options , other than under the scheme, to secure the remediation of their dwelling. It is not the Pyrite Resolution Board’s policy to exclude applicants from the scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage Arrears Rate (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears for more than 90 and 180 days. The most recent statistics in respect of Q1 2014 are displayed on my Department’s website - the relevant weblink will be circulated with the Official Report. by clicking “Mortgage...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Qualifications (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am aware of the valuable contribution to the construction industry that is made by architectural technologists. I welcome and support the recent moves made by both the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to put this important discipline on a professional footing. My Department met with both bodies on 17 July 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 , market surveillance authorities have a wide range of powers to ensure that construction products placed on the market comply with the requirements set out in the Construction Products Regulation . On being advised of the problem in April 2014, the relevant market surveillance authority has taken, and is continuing to take,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses. This scheme will replace the 1995 and 2011 tenant purchase schemes under section 90 of the Housing Act 1966, which closed in June 2014 and June 2013, respectively. The new scheme will be open to local authority tenants in receipt of social housing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Section 10A of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for a temporary exemption of at least three consecutive years from the charge to Local Property Tax (LPT) for residential properties that have been certified as having “significant pyritic damage”. To avail of the exemption, the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Pyrite Exemption) Regulations 2013 require...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat litter. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering is a matter for the local authorities. Local authorities are independent statutory bodies, with democratically elected councils and their own management systems and as such, it is a matter for individual authorities to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Yield (17 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) Charge. The NPPR Charge of €200 per annum, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. The table details Non-Principal Private...

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: That is not true.

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank all the Members who contributed to this debate last night and today. As the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, outlined last night, the Government cannot support the Bill tabled by Deputy Cowen. We appreciate that the intention of the Bill is to provide discounts for customers affected by sub-standard water supplies. However, as the Minister outlined last night, the legislative and...

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I also wish to address another point raised during last night's debate. Deputy Cowen suggested that the establishment of Irish Water was a precursor to privatisation. To use a phrase employed by Deputy Cowen during his speech, it was like déjà vu again.

Water Services (Exempt Charges) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: This issue has been raised previously and it has been shown to be without foundation. In fact, the position is laid down in statute. Section 46 of the Water Services Act (No. 2) 2013 expressly provides that neither the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government or the Minister for Finance nor Bord Gais Éireann, now entitled Ervia, can dispose of their shares in Irish...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter, which presents a challenge in Irish society. There is significant pressure on homelessness services. Recent figures show that 127 people are sleeping rough and more than 150 families are residing in commercial hotels in the Dublin area. More than 2,500 individuals are using section 10 funded emergency accommodation nationally. On 20...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Again, I thank the Deputy for raising a critical and urgent matter that will require a mixed response in the short, medium and long terms. I note the Deputy’s comments on the use of construction innovations such as timber-framed housing and the possibility that it may be used to meet an immediate need on sites that become available. While myriad personal, financial and social reasons...

Topical Issue Debate: Pyrite Issues (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Deputy Farrell for raising this important matter of concern. While my Department has no regulatory function in the area of insurance or insurance-based products, I will raise this issue with the appropriate regulatory bodies and Departments and will be supportive of any proposals that may be put forward by them in this matter. The pyrite remediation scheme, which was published by...

Topical Issue Debate: Pyrite Issues (18 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy and assure him that the issue will be raised with the statutory bodies and Departments involved in the regulation and oversight of insurance. I will be fully supportive of any proposals that may be put forward to bring a satisfactory conclusion to the difficulties homeowners with pyrite damage are facing even when remediation has been carried out. I also expect the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: It will come from Sinn Féin's magic pot of gold.

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Members opposite and those on this side of the House for their contributions to this debate. Housing is clearly a subject that arouses great passion and interest in all of us, as it should, due to the seriousness of the issue. In the very limited time available, I will briefly pick up on some matters raised by Members during the debate. I assure Deputies that all the...

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Sep 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I said there are "no shortcuts" in standards.

Topical Issue Debate: Data Protection (1 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, in respect of which I am happy to clarify the position on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. Under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2013, Irish Water may request its customers and certain specified persons or bodies, including the Minister for Social Protection, to provide it with...