Results 6,401-6,420 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (28 Sep 2016)

Damien English: It is estimated that from the aggregation of factors arising from measures taken to reduce housing input costs, including the package of interim measures on housing supply, entitled Stabilising Rents – Boosting Supplywhich wasapproved by the Government in November 2015, a decrease in the cost of building new residential units by between €20,000 and €40,000 can be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (28 Sep 2016)

Damien English: Part B of the Building Regulations sets out the statutory standards of fire safety that apply when a new building is constructed in order to ensure the safety of persons in and about the building. Compliance with the building regulations is first and foremost the responsibility of the owners, designers and builders of the building concerned. Nevertheless, in the interests of supporting...

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House on the important matter of Traveller accommodation. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for the opportunity to correct the record. The senior Minister could not be present and he sends his apologies. I work with him in the Department and I am here on his behalf. He is directly involved in this issue. The Minister is not in...

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: It is not relative; it is a silly way of approaching any issue.

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: I should clarify that Louth County Council is the authority with statutory responsibility for the assessment of accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of Traveller accommodation programmes, TAPs, in the Louth area. Following the removal of families from Woodlands Park halting site in January, the county council commenced a review of its Traveller...

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: I again thank the Deputies for their comments and observations and assure them that I am committed to ensuring that Traveller accommodation needs will be met in a safe and sustainable way. I reiterate that safety on halting sites is paramount and I hope that Travellers will feel reassured by the steps that are being taken by my Department in the context of the review of fire safety...

Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to outline the position from my point of view and that of the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, regarding town centre development in Naas. I had the opportunity to view the site with Deputy Durkan and county council officials on Tuesday during my visit to Naas County Council. I can see exactly what the problem...

Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: I will just bow out at this stage. I agree with Deputy Durkan that this matter must be dealt with. If there is anything the Department can do, it will be done where appropriate. In some of these matters, it might not be appropriate. However, I and the Minister, Deputy Coveney, have heard the message loud and clear from Deputy Durkan and others that it must be dealt with very soon. That...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope to dwellings which have significant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme, which is available on the Board’s website (www.pyriteboard.ie). Applications must be submitted to the Board online at . The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: It is good to be back here again. I thank Senator Ó Domhnaill for raising this issue. It is important to bring clarity. Like many schemes, people do not always know about them until they go looking for them. In our offices people have asked about them in the past and we have pointed them in the right direction. Generally, if someone wants a loan through this mechanism, they will...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: To be clear, imagination works both ways. We will take on board any idea that the Senator has, but I will not force anyone to take out a loan. The loan is available, but people are choosing not to avail of it. They are choosing local authority products instead. It is not that people do not know. The 1,100 people who chose the other mortgage would have been aware of both options. It is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: No, the Senator said-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: The money is available and the product is there for people who meet the criteria. I am open to ideas. As to imagination, the Senator should not blame the officials if he has no ideas either.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: I did not hear them.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: House Purchase Schemes (29 Sep 2016)

Damien English: I agree with that one.

Topical Issue Debate: Nitrates Usage (4 Oct 2016)

Damien English: I am glad to have an opportunity to outline the position in respect of the spreading periods for organic fertilisers. I thank Deputy Scanlon for raising the matter and for giving me the opportunity to bring some clarity to it. The nitrates directive and Ireland's nitrates action programme are given legal effect by the consolidated European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for...

Topical Issue Debate: Nitrates Usage (4 Oct 2016)

Damien English: As a rural Deputy who deals with farmers in the circumstances mentioned by Deputy Scanlon, I agree with what he said about the last two issues. I will certainly bring the message back to the Minister, Deputy Creed, on that matter and the other issues as well. I presume he is attending next week's European meeting, but I do not know for sure. Both of those issues fall under the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (4 Oct 2016)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the , the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by phone at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (4 Oct 2016)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme, which is...