Results 6,461-6,480 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for raising this issue in the House. On a given night in the Dublin region, there are approximately 1,650 individuals in temporary emergency accommodation, such as hostels and other supported accommodation. This includes an additional 275 beds that have been put in place in the last two years. The most recent Dublin region rough sleeper count recorded 102...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: To address the concerns of the Deputy on the temporary nature of this measure, the idea behind making the tackling of homelessness and housing the No. 1 priority of the Government is that people will only be homeless on a temporary basis. We are trying to put in place long-term sustainable solutions. Ending rough sleeping and the use of unsuitable long-term emergency accommodation,...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The Deputy is correct. The figures for those who are homeless and those who are living in temporary accommodation are not acceptable. No one denies the figures and that is the reason it has become the Government’s number one priority to tackle the issue. It is also the priority of this House to tackle the issue and to reduce the number of homeless people. The action plan has been...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: In recent years sufficient financial and human resources were not available to local authorities and Departments to enable them to tackle this problem which has, undoubtedly, continued to get worse in the past 18 months to two years. Over 2,700 people will exit homelessness in 2016 because we have secured permanent housing solutions for them. More than 5,000 exited homelessness in the two...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Data (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The costs associated with developing new homes and the factors influencing those costs are numerous and vary depending on the location and scale of development. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland report on the Real Cost of New House Delivery, published in May 2016, outlined the costs of delivering a 113 square metre 3-bed semi-detached house to the market based on a study of a number...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (8 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The 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 available on the Board’s...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uisce faoi Úinéireacht Phoiblí) (Uimh. 2) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I thank speakers from all sides who participated in this debate. This has been a positive, passionate and engaging discussion on an important issue. I reiterate the point made by the Minister that we do not doubt the sincerity of Opposition Deputies, including Deputy Joan Collins, in seeking a constitutional amendment to protect public ownership of the public water system. While the...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uisce faoi Úinéireacht Phoiblí) (Uimh. 2) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2016)

Damien English: Yes, I will conclude shortly. Did the House hear Opposition contributions welcoming Irish Water's work in ending long-term boil water notices for some 18,000 people last year? Did it hear praise for its improvements to water supplies which posed contamination risk for 220,000 people? Was there any mention of the 48.5 million litres of water, the equivalent to the daily water needs of...

Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2016)

Damien English: Or some training.

Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 - Second Stage: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: On behalf of the two Ministers responsible for the Department, of which I am not one, the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, and the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, I thank Deputies for their valuable contributions to the debate on the Companies (Accounting) Bill. I missed the early part of the debate but I know there is much support for the Bill. The importance of it is well recognised....

Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 - Second Stage: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I particularly welcome the general expressions of support for the overall objective of the Bill, as well as many of its key features, such as simplification and transparency. It is of course true that small and micro Irish companies have been waiting to apply the benefits of this Bill. Once it is enacted, those companies will find their financial reporting requirements more straightforward...

Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016: Referral to Select Committee (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 194(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Insurance Costs (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: At the outset, neither my Department nor the Pyrite Resolution Board has been made aware of any properties remediated under the pyrite remediation scheme, which have been declined insurance cover post completion of remediation works. While I am acutely aware of the upset and distress faced by many homeowners who have been affected by pyritic heave, my Department has no function in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: Older persons have specific housing requirements such as being in proximity to their family and social networks and the need for access to public and other essential services, recreation and amenities. In recognition of this, Action 2.16 of the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, commits to a number of pilot projects being advanced, beginning with Dublin City...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: In July 2016, the Government launched the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. Action 2.19 provided that we would create a pilot competition, focusing on three distinct areas, namely, smart technologies in housing for older people, adaptation of existing houses to meet the needs of older people and life-time communities. My Department has established a Steering...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. There are no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar farms and I have no proposals to bring forward such guidelines at the present time. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, each planning authority's development plan is required to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: As I said, this is kept under review. I will discuss it with the Ministers, Deputies Coveney and Naughten. I am conscious that there has been a ramp up in the applications received in recent months or certainly in the past year, and it appears that many more will be submitted. We will closely monitor that. I draw the Senator's attention to guidelines for key infrastructure, including...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I thank Senator Davitt for raising this issue. As a Deputy who represents rural areas and who shares some common ground with the Senator, I understand the logic and motive behind this and I also understand the frustration that is often experienced with the planning system. I accept the Senator's point and know he has asked for this proposal to be made in good faith.As Minister, my role in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I understand the sentiments expressed. I will compare our position with that in other countries to determine whether we could address the issue without infringing the criteria for public participation. Legally, we cannot infringe on them and do not want to do so, but I know exactly what the Senator is trying to say. I will discuss the issue with our experts on planning to determine whether...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: It is a pleasure to bring the Statute Law Revision Bill to the House. Its purpose is to repeal spent and obsolete public general Acts passed between 1922 and 1950. As the first comprehensive review of Acts passed by the Oireachtas, the Bill will result in a significant reduction in the size of the Statute Book for this period. In total, some 297 Acts, accounting for 42% of the 707 enforced...