Results 2,961-2,980 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (15 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: My Department has given preliminary consideration to the arrangements in place for oversight of new single dwellings and extensions to existing dwellings in advance of the full review of the broader operation of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014) which formally commenced on 2 April 2014 and is currently open for public consultation. While costs are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety Regulations (15 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014 set out a clear statutory framework for construction activity based on legal standards as set out in the Building Regulations and detailed Technical Guidance Documents (TGD) outlining how compliance with the regulations can be achieved in practice. The Building Regulations set out the minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Residential Tenancies Board (15 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants relating to, inter-alia, security of tenure, termination of tenancies, rent and rent reviews. The 2004 Act provides that rents may not be greater than the open market rate and may only be reviewed upward or downward once a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (15 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: My Department’s statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans(June, 2007) continue to provide a sound basis for planning authorities when preparing and implementing their development plans. I intend to publish a draft update of these Guidelines for public consultation during 2015 taking account of, inter alia, the changed wider legislative and policy context in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Residential Tenancies Board Remit (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants relating to, inter-alia, security of tenure, termination of tenancies, rent and rent reviews. The 2004 Act provides that rents may not be greater than the open market rate and may only be reviewed upward or downward once a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Generation (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I understand the matter referred to by the Deputy is the decision by An Bord Pleanála, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, that the proposed windfarm development in question satisfies the condition referred to in section 37A(2) of the Act and that consequently a planning application in respect of the project will be made to An Bord Pleanála and not to the local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Residential Tenancies Board Remit (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector. The Act sets out the obligations of tenants and landlords and the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) is the independent statutory body charged with the administration of the Act and the enforcement of those obligations, as necessary. The PRTB publishes the outcomes...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The terms and conditions governing the operation of standard annuity mortgages provided by local authorities to qualifying first time buyers are set out most recently in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. These are available on my Department’s website at the following weblink :. The Regulations prescribe that the amount of a loan shall not exceed €200,000 or...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Urban Renewal Schemes (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 633 together. The downturn in economic activity associated with the recession has resulted in significant numbers of shop closures and vacant units in town centres throughout the country. Other factors, such as upward only rent reviews, parking charges, rising energy costs and on-line trading, have also been cited as factors affecting the viability...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The grounds upon which a tenancy in the private rented sector may be legally terminated are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The Act sets out the procedures and notice periods that must be complied with when terminating a tenancy and these apply whether or not a receiver is in place. While the circumstances of each case may vary depending on the terms of the mortgage or charge...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The application for a foreshore licence from Sligo County Council for dredging at Sligo Harbour was granted approval in principle on 20 May 2014. The Chief State Solicitor’s Office is currently preparing the requisite legal documentation. It is a matter for any party that wishes to engage in dredging activity to ensure that they obtain the necessary consents, including a Dumping at Sea...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Provision (21 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The increases in rent that have been taking place in the market over the past two years, particularly in urban centres, are a result of a lack of supply. The implementation of the range of actions under the Government’s Construction 2020 strategy will support increased housing supply. New house completions in 2014 amounted to 11,016 units nationally, up 33% on the 2013 figure. In the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (22 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the relevant contracting parties, i.e. the homeowner, the builder, the supplier and/or their respective insurers. I believe that the parties responsible for poor workmanship and/or the supply of defective materials should face up to their responsibilities and take appropriate actions to provide remedies for the affected...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (22 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 to 168, inclusive, together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 788 of 15 April 2015 which addressed the approach to calculating the temperature factor in the vicinity of thermal bridges at junctions and around openings in accordance with Appendix D of Technical Guidance Document L 2011. The surface resistance values given in IS EN ISO 13788 are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Housing Assistance Payments Implementation (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for his question. As outlined by the Minister, the implementation of the HAP scheme is a key Government priority under the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which sets out a range of ambitious targets. The scheme is vital if we are to meet housing demand, which, as the Deputy rightly points out, is increasing. The funding that has been committed under the social housing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Housing Assistance Payments Implementation (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: We all agree that housing is one of the most pressing issues in this country. The Government is committed to prioritising and resolving this issue. The Deputy, however, seems to be conveniently pointing to the worst-case scenarios. The Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB, is doing a great of good work in terms of raising awareness of tenants' rights. In fact, a campaign is under...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Housing Assistance Payments Implementation (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I want to clarify one item for the Deputy. He said the €4 billion includes the housing assistance payment, HAP. There is €4 billion of capital committed to the year 2020. The Deputy said nothing has changed. A great deal has changed in the past year. The Construction 2020 strategy will address many of the deficits in terms of housing provision throughout the country. We...

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Planning is one of my areas of responsibility. The Deputy referred to the word "spinning". It has been clarified to the Deputy by the Secretary General of the Department that it was an inappropriate and ill-advised comment between officials in the Department of Finance and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Deputy's question is very relevant and...

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The reference from the e-mail mentioned by the Deputy has been acknowledged by the Secretary General, and he has apologised and stated that it was inappropriate. However, I again refer the Deputy to the facts presented by the Dublin housing supply and co-ordination task force and supported by the Housing Agency. We are emerging from a legacy of a devastated economy and construction sector,...

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I wish the Deputy well at the weekend. I hope he and his party will reflect on the damage that has been done to this economy due to the policies that were implemented over the last ten or 20 years in housing and construction. I am open to listening to any positive proposals the Deputy might make. I think they will have a further opportunity to engage with these issues in the context of...