Results 25,841-25,860 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for the question. My Department published a comprehensive list of all social housing construction schemes that were advancing nationwide at end of the fourth quarter of 2016. Over 500 approved schemes were listed that, when completed, will deliver about 8,500 new social homes. The schemes listed include those that are being designed, those currently on site and those...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is right that this is all about delivery. I have said on numerous occasions that if I come to the conclusion that local authorities are not able to deliver social housing at the pace we need it, we then need to look at new structures, such as a national housing authority or something like that. At the moment, to be fair, the vast majority of local authorities are seriously...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: In response to Deputy Durkan, we now have a framework for rapid-build housing. I understand that Kildare County Council has been asked to fully exploit the potential of rapid-build housing, but it needs to come back with projects. We now have a central tendering list that has been agreed for companies that have the capacity for modular construction, which is essentially offsite...

Other Questions: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I did not see all of the programme, but I answered questions on Claire Byrne's show afterwards. I was in Waterford that night, but I appeared from the Waterford studio. The young man, who was homeless and who was finding difficulty getting certainty on getting a bed at night, now has certainty. He has access to emergency accommodation and does not have to do it on a nightly basis....

Other Questions: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I will come in on it again. I will answer the Deputy.

Other Questions: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: From what I can see, the HAP scheme is working successfully. If the Deputy has evidence to suggest otherwise, I would like to see it.

Other Questions: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: An additional 15,000 people throughout the country came onto the HAP scheme last year. It was only introduced to Dublin a few weeks ago. The homeless HAP has been working quite successfully.

Other Questions: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: My colleague tells me that so far this year 467 homeless people have been homed through the homeless HAP. We also have a place finder office in Dublin which specifically helps those who are unable to locate properties where the landlord is willing to accept tenancies under the HAP scheme. It is not perfect all the time but systems are in place to help people. If the Deputy is concerned...

Other Questions: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: Areas that are seeing significant rent inflation are likely to come in under the zoning. I would have to get the data for Limerick, which has been published, but my understanding is that parts of Limerick are close to being designated. I take Deputy Bríd Smith's point about areas that are contiguous to rent pressure zones. There may be spillover in terms of landlords feeling that...

Other Questions: Private Rented Accommodation (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy has put an unfortunate spin on a highly progressive approach to the role and functioning of the much more predictable rental market we would like to create. For as long as I remember, the problem with the rental market is that rents rapidly increase in boom times and collapse at times of recession. This is no way to manage a rental market in which we want to create security of...

Other Questions: Private Rented Accommodation (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am just trying to give complete answers.

Other Questions: Private Rented Accommodation (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: Approximately 400 Irish people a week are coming home to work because they want to live here. Many will find accommodation in the private rental market and some will, hopefully, be able to afford a home. There are more people coming home than leaving because they can see the country is moving in the right direction, despite the fact that there are many who try to put a negative spin on...

Other Questions: Private Rented Accommodation (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: We have a significant rental sector, which is expanding. That is a fact, whether or not we like it. My job is to try to make sure the rental market is better structured and protected by better laws to ensure tenants are protected and landlords have certainty. Of course, if people want to purchase their own homes or if they want to access social housing, we need to facilitate that...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 37 and 50 together. The Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006 do not provide for a mandatory minimum setback distance between wind turbines and residential dwellings.  However, in the context of, and in addition to, noise limits, they indicate an advisory minimum setback distance of 500m to protect residential dwellings in noise sensitive...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation Provision (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 21 together. The target set in Rebuilding Ireland, that by mid-2017 hotels will only be used in limited circumstances to provide emergency accommodation for families, is necessarily ambitious.  However, I believe that the significant efforts currently being made by local authorities and other key bodies, supported by my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for delivering public water services. Irish Water is also responsible for water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or drainage pipes extending from a waterworks or wastewater works to the curtilage of a private property.  Under sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local and Community Development Programme (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 63 together. My Department does not currently operate any scheme or programme which would fully fund the construction of a community centre or similar facilities. However, the provision of community facilities and amenities for younger people is addressed within the local authority planning and development process by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Repair and Leasing Scheme (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed, under Pillar 5 of Rebuilding Ireland, to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant properties across Ireland. The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: When rent pressure zones were introduced in Dublin and Cork in December last year, only Housing Authority areas could be designated as rent pressure zones because the necessary information on rents was not available to decide whether smaller administrative areas met the criteria for designation.  At that time, I made a commitment that my Department would work...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Rent Controls (6 Apr 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 28 together. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 lays out the process through which rent pressure zones can be designated.  It provides that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to the Minister that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone. Following...