Results 2,841-2,860 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Septic Tanks (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy made a valid point about urban areas that have grown into rural areas where there are one-off houses that now need to be connected. It is a priority for Uisce Éireann. The Minister will announce a new scheme next week for villages to upgrade systems. That is vital. We often hear from Deputies in the House about areas, particularly rural areas, where there are challenges...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income defined and assessed according to a standard household means policy. The baseline income eligibility thresholds were increased for all local authorities, with effect from 1 January 2023, by €5,000 to €40,000,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: There are probably cases like that all over the country. Prior to 2011, there were no income limits and there was inconsistency across local authorities. Some disregarded while some included all incomes. That is why the household means policy was introduced. It sets out the manner by which local authorities should assess the means of an applicant for social housing support for the purpose...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: To refer back to the local authority's responsibility and role in supporting that family, the Deputy's local authority was under band 3. The income eligibility was increased to €30,000. The increase in the three bands was welcome and had been sought for some time. We supported it in government. On the particular case the Deputy referenced, it is unfortunate that the applicant had...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Agriculture Schemes (8 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 together. The National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme was first launched in 2006 to support landowners to:deliver actions that benefit habitats and species in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, known collectively as Natura 2000 sites,to support farmland biodiversity more...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme was published on the 24th January 2022. From Quarter 1 of 2022 to the end of Quarter 3 of 2023, a total of 576 Mortgage to Rent applications have been completed. A further 521 applications are currently being actively progressed. Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, using Exchequer funding, is delivering improvements to water services, including waste water, in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann water services are not available. The aim of the multi-annual programme is, through various funding measures, to provide robust and resilient water services, that are value for money and are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Development (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department and the Department of Transport (DoT) jointly established a working group in December 2021 under ‘Housing for All’ to consider opportunities for Transport Orientated Development (TOD) in major urban centres. The group comprises membership from my Department, DoT, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Land Development Agency (LDA). Transport Orientated...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses is primarily a built heritage scheme, intended to support the conservation of an important and historically neglected part of our traditional building stock. I am pleased to note that it may also make a contribution to our broader efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction. Owners of traditional farmhouses often...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I recently announced my Department’s agreement to purchase the Dowth Hall Demesne in Co. Meath. This 552 acre site contains valuable elements of natural, archaeological and architectural heritage and will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department as a new National Park to ensure the preservation of these features for the people of Ireland. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of a suite of National and EU legislation in relation to invasive alien species in Ireland. Funding was provided by NPWS in 2012 for a scheme administered by the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) for a bounty on mink as part of a wider effort to protect ground nesting...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I have.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Staff (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is an executive agency within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for, inter alia, the management of our National Parks. The NPWS does not employ staff as qualified arborists and does not have such a grade or title of position. While there may be staff who have such qualifications it is not an essential...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Dáil Question No. 692 on 7 November which sets out the position in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I understand NPWS staff met on site with the individual last month in relation to the proposed activity, and that an application for an Activity Requiring Consentis now being processed. This is required because the proposed activity occurs within a Special Area of Conservation. The NPWS team will contact the applicant again directly and provide them with an update on progress.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The general scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill was published in December 2022. Following the scrutiny of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, my Department has been working in close collaboration with parliamentary drafters over the past several months to develop the Bill and I anticipate that it will be ready for publication early in 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fisheries Protection (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Sea fishing boat licensing and registration is a function of the Sea Fisheries Administration Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Questions in relation to the permitting or licensing of such vessels and their fishing activities are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Do I have ten minutes?

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I hope I will not need it. I will try not to bore the House. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí go léir. The was a valuable debate yesterday and today. Before I conclude, I will take some time to respond to some of the issues raised by Deputies. More immediately, I will respond to comments made today, starting with Deputy Howlin, a politician for whom...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.