Results 5,281-5,300 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Seanad: Wind Turbines Bill 2012: Second Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The guidelines state, "n general, noise is unlikely to be a significant problem where the distance from the nearest turbine to any noise sensitive property is more than 500 metres." They advise planning authorities to seek evidence that the types of turbine proposed in a particular development will use best engineering practice in terms of noise suppression and provide specific limits to...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (23 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 applies to estates which have been granted planning permission and include the construction of two or more houses (which as defined in the Act includes apartments) and the provision of new roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains or drains. In relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (23 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168, 170 and 171 together. In advancing loans for house purchase by lower income borrowers it is of critical importance that local authorities make such funding available on the basis of sound lending criteria. My Department and individual local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that the borrower can sustain the loan over the full term. Of equal...

Eating Disorders (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Mitchell O'Connor for raising this important issue and I share her concerns. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who has responsibility for mental health issues. The Internet is an international and worldwide phenomenon. It has no borders and no single organisation controlling it. Therefore, efforts to combat harmful...

Eating Disorders (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The information Deputy Mitchell O'Connor has put before the House is disturbing. Whatever methods can be used to ensure this information is not available to vulnerable young people should be taken. The point made about the difficulty in controlling sites coming from outside the country is a reality but we should do whatever we can. By raising the matter, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor has done a...

Foreshore Licences (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: No, I am taking it.

Foreshore Licences (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I apologise on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan. He was not able to be here to reply to the debate. I will convey the views of the Deputy, of which he is aware, to him. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter for debate. Primary policy responsibility for the exploitation of offshore natural resources, including the tax regime...

Foreshore Licences (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I have already outlined the consultation process to the Deputy. There has been a large number of responses.

Foreshore Licences (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: As well as those responses, the application has been referred to standards prescribed by the consultees. These include the Marine Institute; the Marine Survey Office; the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority; Inland Fisheries Ireland; and the National Parks & Wildlife Service. As well as that, because of the nature of the proposal it has also been referred to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County...

Fire Safety (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Hogan. I may not be able to answer all the questions today but I will certainly revert to the Deputy on those I am unable to answer in so far as that is possible. I understand that Dublin City Council, through Dublin Fire Brigade, was notified by the developer of a construction defect in some properties at the Belmayne housing complex on 19...

Fire Safety (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I may not have the answers to all of the Deputy's questions and, if not, I can revert to him later. Unfortunately, we are dealing with a number of legacy issues concerning things that were not done properly in the past. We must learn from them for the future and ensure that we put proper systems in place so they cannot possibly recur. We are working on that and will put such systems in...

Fire Safety (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I did not read the Sunday Independent report, to be honest, but there are ongoing discussions. We are all trying to find a solution for the people who have been affected. The residents of Priory Hall have had to go through a dreadful situation. We will continue to work towards a solution. It appears that the situation in Belmayne can be rectified relatively quickly and people can be back...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2011, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Acts or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 set out certain classes of development which are exempt from planning permission requirements. The exemptions are circumscribed by article 9, which...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Since the Rental Accommodation Scheme began in late 2005, some 37,757 households have transferred from rent supplement into RAS or other social housing options. Of these 21,892 were housed directly under RAS. Each local authority is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the scheme within its own area, including the management of vacancies that arise. Notwithstanding...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to a fundamental reorganisation of local government structures with the aim of bringing about stronger, more cohesive, local government with greater capacity to address challenges, maximise efficiency and promote economic and social development. Wider policy proposals will be brought to Government in the near future for an action programme...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: Work is currently underway on preparing the Social Housing Investment Programme for 2012, including projects funded under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). Information submitted by local authorities is still being collated and examined. I will, in the context of an examination of existing programme commitments under the CAS, give consideration to the financial scope for a call for...

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The Committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: At a broad level national planning policy is underpinned by: · the strategic planning framework of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002-2020, supplemented at regional and local level by Regional Planning Guidelines and Development Plans respectively, · an extensive suite of statutory planning guidelines, · and the legislative framework of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2011 and...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government's policy on housing, including social housing, is clearly set out in our housing policy statement published on 16 June 2011.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (28 Feb 2012)

Jan O'Sullivan: In terms of the delivery of social housing, the Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. The financial parameters within which we will have to operate in the coming years rule out a return to very large capital funded construction...