Results 1,241-1,260 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (29 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The current Wild Bird Declarations (General & Air Safety) that were signed in April 2021, allowing for the control of certain wild bird species, are due to expire on 30 April 2022. A decision on new Declarations covering the period 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023 will be made prior to the expiry of the current Declarations. My Department recently held a public consultation to inform this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Surveys (29 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department does not have an overarching responsibility for the coordination of hedgerow surveys and does not collect data from local authorities in relation to surveys carried out by them from their own resources. The Local Authority Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) is a stream of grants to assist local authorities with biodiversity projects in their areas that support the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: As the Leas-Chathaoirleach correctly said, I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. She sends her apologies for her inability to attend this morning. I thank the Senator for raising the matter, which provides me with an opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to secondary school places in Kildare. In order to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: As I outlined in the statement, it is important that we look at those areas of duplication where, for a number of reasons, parents might be applying to a number of schools. The Department is working pro-actively with the schools involved to try and address those issues. The figure may not be as high as the Senator proposes here. However, the Minister will take on board the comments the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I am also taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank the Senator for making his points so well. I pay tribute to all schools that are adapting and consistently implementing best practice in teaching and integrating children with additional needs in school. Some very impressive work in that regard is going on throughout the country. This year, the Department of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The module is, in effect, mandatory. The Céim standards, the standards for initial teacher education published by the Teaching Council in November 2020, have strengthened the definition of “inclusive education” to include “any aspect of teachers’ learning aimed at improving their capacity to address and respond to the diversity of learners’ needs; to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: If I could just finish quoting from the passage, it states: This will include additional learning needs (e.g. autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia) ... [...] [In addition, and in accordance with the stated standards] During every module of school placement and as appropriate to the student teacher’s stage of development, the student teacher shall, through the use of their Taisce:...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: We will take on board the points the Senator made, although there is a strong approach on the part of the Department.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I followed quite a bit of that session yesterday at the joint committee. It was really interesting, including Senator Boyhan's contribution. As he stated, there is something very strategic and big happening right across the housing sphere and we see that with the increase in the number of commencements. In my own county, the social housing provision is up by more than 60%, which will...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (30 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh na páistí, na daltaí anseo, go dtí an Seanad. They are very welcome to the Seanad. I fully agree with Senator Boyhan. I appreciate the comments he makes about the LDA and the general thrust of Government policy on the critical importance of the delivery of housing through Housing for All.Senator Boyhan mentioned a number of other...

Childcare Fees: Motion [Private Members] (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, I welcome the opportunity to close the debate on this motion. This is a sector I have a huge interest in. I have been a volunteer at a direct level with community childcare for some 20 years now, as Deputy Funchion would know. It is a sector I truly value, as we all do. I commend the Minister on the work he has been doing since his...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for articulating the case of Alexis and her family and the comments by the OT about improving the quality of care and reducing physical discomfort. These are really vital issues for her care, well-being and her quality of life. My Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I assure the Deputy I will take this matter back to the Department. I agree with him. A conclusion should have been brought to the discussions between the Department and the HSE to provide clarity to families. Perhaps the issue here is that medical aids and devices such as a hoist require the assistance of a carer and specialised training. That may be the matter under negotiation. As I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I would appreciate that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist seo a ardú inniu agus as an seans a thabhairt dom dualgas Uisce Éireann a leagan amach. Tá an freagra as Béarla, agus tá brón orm faoi sin. The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2017 set out arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Irish Water and for the scrutiny and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an Teachta as an gceist seo faoi áiseanna fuíolluisce ar An gCeathrú Rua a ardú. Geallaim go bhfuil an Rialtas tiomanta do mhaoiniú suntasach a chur ar fáil d'Uisce Éireann. Again, I have a stock response here but this an issue that I will take back through the Department to Irish Water. I am not fully familiar with...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coroners Service (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist seo a ardú. I would like to convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to another commitment. On behalf of the Minister, I would like to thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this important matter. As he said, it is very distressing for families to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coroners Service (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: As stated previously, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has no role in the timing and conduct of post-mortem examinations. The direction of post-mortem examinations is solely a matter for the coroner concerned. However, the Department of Justice has appointed three coroners to the Dublin district to actively support the Coroner Service in carrying out its statutory functions. This should have...

Vacant Properties: Motion [Private Members] (6 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will try to respond to some of the points raised. I agree with Deputy Berry about the Curragh camp. I have written to the Minister for Defence on this. As a demonstration project, it could deliver sustainable housing for the Curragh, and the plans are important. Deputy Chris Andrews and I have spoken before about the redevelopment of the Dublin city flats, which are important from the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Raised Bogs are extremely rare in global and European terms. Ireland holds approximately 50% of all raised bogs remaining in the Atlantic region of North West Europe and so we have a particular responsibility for their conservation at an international level. The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, approved by government and published in 2017, sets out...