Results 7,261-7,280 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Private Rental Sector Standards: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I stand over everything I said. Anywhere there is a need.

Private Rental Sector Standards: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2017)

Damien English: It is only in draft form. It is not finished yet.

Private Rental Sector Standards: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I thank the Sinn Féin Deputies, particularly Deputy Ó Broin, for tabling this motion tonight as it enables us to discuss what worries the Government in this area and also what we witnessed in last week's programme. In this House, we are not easily shocked, as people have said, and we have seen many things over recent years. What was shown in the programme was a blatant disregard...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (7 Nov 2017)

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. The full conditions for eligibility...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Regulations (7 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1342 and 1343 together. The difficult process of resolution of the issues relating to the development in question, involving the relevant members of the Irish Banking Federation, the Residents’ Committee, the Government and Dublin City Council, concluded with a Framework Agreement in October 2013. In recognition of the unique and exceptional...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to elaborate upon the comments that were made by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, at the weekend in respect of lreland's rate of homelessness and to clarify the technical issues associated with making international comparisons. The Taoiseach is very well informed about the situation relating to housing...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I want to make very clear that the figures I tried to give earlier show we have a homelessness rate of approximately 2.7 households for every 1,000 households. In England, the figure is 3.45 homeless households for 1,000. The figure for Scotland is higher again. The Deputy is right to say that the number of those rough sleeping in England, namely, 4,134 people, is also very high. When the...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: We provide emergency accommodation and we will provide an increased number of emergency beds in the months ahead to allow for potentially cold weather. We are not saying that it is acceptable. I want to be absolutely clear on this. Speaking about international comparisons does not in any way try to excuse or normalise homelessness. That is not what this is about. We have put in the...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: It is not the same as ten years ago.

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The number of adults is the same as ten years ago, but the difference is that more than 3,000 children are homeless now. We have to put in more money to fix this and we will fix it. Progress is being made. Please do not do down the work that is being done by all of those involved in providing solutions, because 85 solutions a day is quite a lot. It is not enough to deal with it so we will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo. The panel had the following terms of reference: (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: An independent Pyrite Panel was established in September 2011 to explore options for a resolution to the problems caused by the presence of pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material which had manifested in dwellings in a number of local authority areas. The Panel undertook a desktop study, in conjunction with a stakeholder consultation, to establish certain facts in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Traveller-specific projects and developments are focused on group housing schemes and halting sites.  This includes meeting traveller-specific housing needs through a range of mechanisms, including the provision of mobiles and caravans; the provision and refurbishment of halting sites and bays within sites; the refurbishment and extension of existing group housing; the return to use...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (14 Nov 2017)

Damien English: As set out in my reply to Questions No 271 and 272 of 26 October 2017, in accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.  My...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to address this important issue. I thank all our colleagues who engaged with me over the months about this site and this development plan, including many councillors who have engaged through the system. I also thank the residents, many hundreds of whom have emailed me personally or taken time to make submissions to the process. That is part...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: We do not share Deputy Murphy's view that it is well gone and cannot be saved. We believe this is an opportunity to save the town centre and its core. This is why this land, as a key piece of town centre land, was zoned many years ago for much more increased development. That, however, is not what this is about. This is about trying to develop a plan that can support the town, the people...

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Ó Broin for raising this issue today and for all the discussion we have had around this topic. I know the commitment is genuine in trying to address the issue. I am happy to have the opportunity to update the House on the Traveller accommodation programme, TAP, and to review the next steps. In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing...

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Deputy Ó Broin asked me at the end of his initial contribution about giving the Traveller community full choice, which is something I agree with completely. The Government is committed to enabling all households to access good quality housing appropriate to household circumstances in their communities of choice. It is open to Travellers to opt for any form of State-supported...

Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I will add a few comments to the debate. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has already addressed most of the issues. I compliment Deputy Jan O'Sullivan on bringing forward this Bill and I am glad that we are in a position to support it. I know that the Bill and the motives behind it are genuine. It is unfair that others engaged in roundhousing and used the occasion to try to give a kick...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I think the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has covered it quite well but Deputy Barry might take time to read the full debate yesterday rather than select one line from it. That goes back to the commentary to which I was referring last night. The commentary we hear on the homelessness and housing situation in Ireland often tries to give the impression that absolutely nothing is being done....