Results 3,041-3,060 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Estates (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: As was acknowledged by my Department in Circular Letter PL 5/14 regarding the taking in charge of housing estates, which issued to planning authorities on 5 November 2014, there is an issue in relation to some stand-alone developer-provided water services infrastructure in certain estates, which in many cases may require upgrading and remediation and which must be addressed before the taking...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 528, 540 and 560 together. Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for its introduction, in the second quarter of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the associated Regulations fully meet the requirements of the Aarhus Convention. All applications for permission or approval for development under the planning code include a full public consultation process.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Shared Ownership Scheme, firstintroduced in 1991 and amended in January 2003, was designed to facilitate access to home ownership to those who were unable to buy a home outright with a conventional mortgage. The Scheme offered an option to purchase up to half of a property with a standard annuity mortgage, with the balance to be rented from the local authority. The initiative worked well...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator for raising this issue which I know he has raised previously. I am happy to provide clarification on some of the queries raised by him. My Department plays a role in regulating the harvesting of wild seaweed. It is necessary to ensure this valuable resource is managed appropriately both to ensure it remains sustainable and that the marine environment is protected....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Department will take account of any established legal right as part of the applications process. As required, we have taken advice from the Attorney General's office. Folios on all parcels of land within one mile of the part of the foreshore that is the subject of a licence application must be identified. A folio must be examined to ascertain whether it contains an entry showing a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Residential Tenancies Board (7 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants in this sector. According to the PRTB Annual Report for 2013,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The pyrite remediation scheme, which was first published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in February of 2014, was developed having regard to, inter alia, the recommendations set out in the (July 2012) and the relevant provisions of the . The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme, which is available on the Board’s website (). It is a condition of eligibility under...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: While I have no function in relation to the regulation or oversight of insurance providers or insurance based products, I am acutely aware of the upset and distress faced by many homeowners who have been affected by pyritic heave and am conscious that their difficulties can be exacerbated by the withdrawal of household insurance cover. Nevertheless, the provision of insurance cover and the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The provisions of the set out the means by which problems relating to the ownership and management of the common areas of both existing and new multi-unit developments can be addressed. The Act also aims to facilitate the fair and effective management of those bodies responsible for the management of such areas. The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 falls under the remit of my colleague the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Costs and Controls (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Fundamentally, the main cause of rising rents is a lack of supply in the market. 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 addition, the Social Housing Strategy 2020 published in November 2014 sets...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Applications (12 May 2015)

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 along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for its introduction, in the second quarter of 2015, which will set out the full details of the new scheme....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I refer to the reply to Question No. 136 of 29 April 2015, which sets out the position on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants including in relation to rent, security of tenure and the termination of tenancies. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Part L of the Building Regulations set downs the statutory minimum energy performance standards that must be achieved by a new dwelling, including social housing units, when designed and constructed. Current Part L requirements which came into effect on 1 December 2011 provide that the regulated energy load for space heating, water heating, fixed lighting and ventilation for a typical newly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Construction Sector Strategy (12 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Government published a comprehensive Construction 2020 Strategyin May 2014 aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any critical bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. The Strategy incorporates 75 specific actions encompassing the development of an overall strategic approach to...

Independent Planning Regulator: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I am happy to offer concluding remarks on behalf of the Government. The debate over last night and tonight on this Private Member's motion confirms the universal consensus emerging from all sides of this House to broadly acknowledge the mistakes of the past as exposed through the tribunal report and accept that such mistakes must never again be allowed to be witnessed in our planning...

Independent Planning Regulator: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Does Sinn Féin support the building regulations?

Independent Planning Regulator: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Does Sinn Féin support the new building regulations?

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (13 May 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 is currently open to public consultation until 15 May 2015. While fees for professional services are...