Results 8,641-8,660 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Funding (14 May 2019)

Damien English: Funding allocations for 2019 for all local authorities, including Limerick City & County Council, were announced on 11 March 2019 in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability living in private houses. Nationally, funding of €71.25 million was announced, with €3,351,630 in respect of Limerick. The Council has drawn down some...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Grant Applications (14 May 2019)

Damien English: I recently announced funding for 2019 of €71.25 million nationally for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, living in private houses. This included an allocation of €1,468,819 to Donegal County Council. Details on the number of grants paid and the amount spent since 2016 by all local authorities, including Donegal County Council, are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (14 May 2019)

Damien English: Public notices concerning this application were published in the “Irish Examiner” and the “Dublin North Gazette” on 28/06/2018. The public display documents were made available at Swords Garda Station and were also available on my Department's website for the required period of twenty one days from 28/6/2018. Two public submissions were received on foot of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks (16 May 2019)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 183, inclusive, together. An Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks was established by my Department in 2016 and its terms of reference were limited to the investigation of the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo. The report of the Expert Panel was published in 2017 and included eight...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (16 May 2019)

Damien English: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises and fire appliances is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through the setting of overarching policy,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (21 May 2019)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 660 together. 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 Department’s role is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (21 May 2019)

Damien English: 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 Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (21 May 2019)

Damien English: My Department has published extensive information and documentation pertaining to the application concerned, including the information sought.  This information is available for viewing on the Department's website at the following link:

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (21 May 2019)

Damien English: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU applies to a wide range of projects – the annexes to this Directive specify what types of projects are mandatory vs. discretionary, in terms of the requirement to conduct an EIA.  In the area of seaweed harvesting projects, it is not a mandatory requirement to conduct an EIA. The decision as to whether an EIA is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commemorative Medals (21 May 2019)

Damien English: The issuing of 1916-2016 Commemorative medals to the Defence Forces was a commitment in 'A Programme for Partnership Government'. Seperately, my Department is commissioning medals in recognition of the role played by staff working in the Fire Services in relation to the 1916 commemorations.  It is envisaged that all Fire Services staff serving in 2016 will be eligible to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (21 May 2019)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013provides 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 schemeis 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: Urban Renewal Schemes (28 May 2019)

Damien English: Supporting the development and growth of towns and villages across Ireland is a major priority for this Government and to this end policy interventions are being pursued across a number of Government Departments and are being implemented by local authorities around the country. In particular, €2 billion is available under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, with a further...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (28 May 2019)

Damien English: 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 Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Local Government Reform (28 May 2019)

Damien English: The Minister of State was detained in the Dáil. Apologies.

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Local Government Reform (28 May 2019)

Damien English: I wish to be associated with your remarks, a Chathaoirligh, and those of Senator Daly. I thank him for raising the issue which is very important. It is certainly timely given that we have more or less completed all the counts of the local elections. I congratulate all those who were successful in winning a seat in recent days. I commiserate with and thank all those who ran but were not...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Local Government Reform (28 May 2019)

Damien English: I am not sure I mentioned the end of May, but I certainly said "very soon". To be very clear, I spoke about the reforms to remuneration, but there is absolutely no intention to take away powers councillors have.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Local Government Reform (28 May 2019)

Damien English: I said no powers had been taken away. In fact, we are being very proactive in trying to give back powers. If the Senator had been here for most of the debate on the planning Bill last year, he would know that we gave back powers to councils. We have enhanced their powers because planning is a major function of councillors, among many others. I was first elected to sit on a council in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Housing Policy (28 May 2019)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and for giving me an opportunity to clarify the relevant regulations as well as the importance of having modular homes and the use of off-site construction, which is something that our Department is for. We would like to encourage as many local authorities as possible to use the option of off-site construction, modular housing, rapid build...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Housing Policy (28 May 2019)

Damien English: I cannot be any clearer and there is no confusion with the regulations. If a construction method meets our regulations, it can be sanctioned and planning permission can be granted. However, we are very strict as we have seen too many homes built at poor quality. We need an urgent supply of housing but that does not mean we should renege on quality. Any company producing housing is more...

Housing (Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (29 May 2019)

Damien English: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following:“Dáil Éireann, while acknowledging the spirit of the Housing (Adaptation Grant For People With A Disability) Bill 2018, resolves that the Bill be deemed to be read a second time this day six months, to allow for the Government to further explore the extent to which the...