Results 741-760 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tourism Industry (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159, 167 and 168 together. ‘Liscartan’ Castle is a Recorded Monument (RMP Ref- ME025-009), a Tower House protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014. The structure is not in the ownership or care of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is therefore not managed or maintained by the OPW. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Constituency Commission (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Article 16 of the Constitution sets out clearly and distinctly the overarching requirements that apply to the membership of Dáil Éireann. In addition, and complementary to the constitutional provisions of Article 16.2 in particular, Part II of the Electoral Act 1997 (as amended) provides for a constituency review following each Census of Population and establishes, among other...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Galway County Council, as the planning authority for the area concerned, is responsible for regulating the activities mentioned in the complaint as having an adverse impact on the freshwater pearl mussel. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has conveyed its concerns around the issues raised in the complaint to the Council and is monitoring the situation, particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Culture Policy (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There is no national monument in State care at Tailteann. Should any private owner of a national monument wish to carry out work to conserve a monument or to provide on-site interpretation material, they would be advised to consult with Local Authority Heritage officials regarding funding possibilities for conservation projects under various heritage grant schemes, including the Community...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Contracts (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In accordance with Circular 40/2002, issued by the Department of Finance, my Department completes an annual return in respect of contracts above a €25,000 threshold which have been awarded without a competitive process (negotiated procedure without prior publication). These returns are submitted annually to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as part of the Appropriation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (12 Oct 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. The timing and scheduling of the Assembly will depend on the outcome of these discussions and on a number of external factors which need to be considered before the scope and terms of the Assembly are framed.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (13 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is responsible for the implementation of a range of legislation and policy relating to biodiversity and nature in Ireland; this does not include the employment of biodiversity officers, which falls under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, within the remit of each Local Authority. Currently, there are five biodiversity officers employed in the following local...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My portfolio as Minister of State with responsibility for heritage and electoral reform is expansive. It spans incredible dossiers from the cultural wealth of our archaeology and monuments, to the distinct architecture of our built heritage, the beauty, resilience and fragility of nature, and our democratic future. Ar dtús, tá cúpla focal le rá agam ar leasú...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Stations (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo. The provision of fire services in a functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Stations (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As we have outlined, there is a clear commitment that this facility will be included in the capital plan and in that regard Monaghan County Council is following all due process to ensure it can be prioritised. Again, I thank the members of Monaghan County Council and the executive for advancing this. I join the Senator in paying tribute to fire service personnel, who do heroic work in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As the Senator knows, the Department of Social Protection pays a range of benefit and assisted income supports, including fuel allowance, which is available to long-term social welfare recipients. On 27 September 2021, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, announced the start of the national fuel scheme for the 2021-22 season. A budget of €292 million has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator again for his comments. I reiterate the Government's commitment to providing income supports to the most vulnerable, in particular in the context of the fuel allowance. This was demonstrated in last Tuesday's budget with rate increases for both the fuel allowance and the living alone allowance as well as extended eligibility for the fuel allowance for certain cohorts of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am glad to have an opportunity to discuss the European committee ruling and, in particular, the regeneration budget and the regeneration of social housing and flat complexes in inner-city Dublin. These housing complexes are intrinsic to the city and have huge cultural and heritage significance but should be habitable to modern and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The conditions the Deputy has described are unacceptable. When the issue was raised in relation to Oliver Bond House by Deputy Bríd Smith, I had direct contact with the residents association there. It has been very active in Oliver Bond House and I give it great credit for that. That approach from a residents association is good but we have to make inroads in resolving these issues....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As part of the National Peatlands Strategy, a Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry was published in September 2020. On foot of a recommendation in the Review, I established a working group, which includes representatives from relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders to examine the issues...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Waterways Ireland commenced planning and design preparation work on Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal restoration project (Clones to Clonfad) in County Monaghan during 2021. Construction on site is planned to commence in the summer of 2022, subject to completion of land acquisition. Substantial completion of the main infrastructure works is expected in Q2 of 2023. This phase will include the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the contention about the great County Kildare. I have Kildare blood in me too. It is a fantastic county. I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is of deep concern to us all. The recent issues at both the Ballymore Eustace and Gorey water treatment plants gave rise to genuine concerns regarding operational failures at these plants as identified by the Environmental...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I want to give that assurance the Senator that certainly the learning experiences from this incident have been taken on board. The Minister, as I said, has acted swiftly and the Senator is correct in saying the investment of €1.57 billion is needed. That is sustained investment that is required over a period of time. The investment of €6 billion over the lifetime of...

Rental Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In the time I have I will try to address some of the issues raised by Deputies in the debate. I thank Members for their contributions. Deputy Nash raises a very valid point on the condition of houses where children are living in housing conditions with mould. That goes back to the issue of inspections, which is being addressed by the Government through additional resources this year....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I sympathise with the family's circumstances. It is a very difficult case. I offer the following response on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. As the Deputy will be aware, the operations of the passport service were severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as were many other Government services. Emergency passport services were maintained during the pandemic, which...