Results 561-580 of 4,720 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Increasing the supply of housing is a priority for the Government and for our Department in particular. I am fully aware that the construction sector has faced a number of considerable challenges over the past year, not least the restrictions on construction activity introduced to combat the spread of Covid-19 and the impact of Brexit and related supply issues. Throughout this period,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: To clarify, the three Ministers are here to answer questions on the issues being raised today. I am very aware of the current challenges in the forestry sector and I acknowledge the implications of delays to the granting of licences for the wider industry and for the construction sector. We are fully aware of that. I am in regular contact with my colleague, the Minister of State, Senator...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct. It is a significant challenge. As I have said, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, are determined to resolve these issues, the logjam about which the Deputy has spoken. There is no doubt but that this has had, and continues to have, a significant impact on the construction sector in Ireland. The Deputy specifically mentioned...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct that the programme for Government contains a commitment to provide for the holding of a referendum on housing. It also commits to establishing a commission on housing to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing. It is planned that the commission on housing will review the commitment to hold a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, the Deputy is correct. The work of the Government is underpinning a right to housing. Housing is being delivered at a scale of pace. As my colleagues have said, there is a record capital budget for this year and that will continue into the future until we make serious inroads into the housing crisis. It is important to note that the right to housing in recognised in Europe in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Parks and Wildlife Service (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 46 together. Given the enforcement role of certain staff in the NPWS and for reasons of operational security, the Department cannot provide details of staffing in the manner requested and I hope the Deputy will appreciate that. My Department's workforce planning process does not identify vacancies per se across different work sectors, whether arising...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Parks and Wildlife Service (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As I stated, the first intake of 20 rangers will be deployed in the coming weeks. On the specific issue of responding to particular incidents, yesterday the Minister and I were able to sign off on a memorandum of understanding with An Garda Síochána on tackling wildlife crime. This will bring a more strategic approach to the work we are doing. Later this year we will establish a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Parks and Wildlife Service (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have been there three times and will hopefully be back there again to see the natterjack toads in a few weeks time. To respond to Deputies Griffin and Ó Cathasaigh on the sustainability of the jobs, as the Deputies will be aware we are in a process of reviewing the NPWS. Hopefully the outcome of that review will look at the sustainability of career paths within the NPWS. In...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for the question. The Government set out its housing priorities in the programme for Government across numerous areas, including homelessness, affordable home ownership, private and social housing delivery, rent reform and planning. My Department is focusing on moving those priorities forward. To deliver on these commitments, I will publish a new housing policy and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has made excellent suggestions that should be given consideration. The Government and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, are considering, as a part of the town centres first initiative, a suite of measures that will support and unlock much of that potential. Deputies across the House have spoken about the need to unlock the potential in our smaller town centres and on our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct. I see many of these properties as I travel across the country, not just in the west but all over. As I said, it is important that we use every mechanism possible to unlock the potential and get them back into productive use. Specifically, around the town centres, we are looking at four specific areas around governance, enabling economic and social purpose, a new...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government published a Policy Paper entitled Irish Water - Towards a national, publicly-owned, regulated water services utility in February 2021 setting out our views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector.   This will complete the broad policy and legislative reforms which have seen public water services embark on a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Building Regulations 1997-2019 set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department, and is a matter, in the first instance, for that Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are 630 proposed natural heritage areas. While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Architectural Heritage (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.  Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I do not have a funding mechanism for such a proposal, nor do I have plans before me in regards to this centre proposal. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). This year 562 heritage projects across every county in the country were allocated funding from a combined...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will respond to some of the points that have been made as I have been frantically taking notes. I thank the Green Party Senators - Senators Garvey, Pauline O'Reilly, Martin and Hackett - for introducing the Bill. All contributors made the point about power being given back to communities and young people in our schools, not just as a demonstration but as tangible projects they can be...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I do not think so. Senator Martin spoke about climate justice. This is about doing the correct thing in this country but it also has a positive impact on developing countries. I hope I have given a reasonable summary of the questions raised by Senators. I thank the Green Party Senators for bringing forward this Private Members' Bill relating to planning exemptions for solar panels. I can...