Results 2,361-2,380 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (17 Sep 2019)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 668 together. In October 2018, the Government approved in principle the development of a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to defective concrete blocks. In May 2019, agreement was reached...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (17 Sep 2019)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together. Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance of works with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the owners, designers and builders of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities who have extensive powers of inspection...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (17 Sep 2019)

Damien English: The Safe as Houses report has been considered by my Department, and while I can subscribe to many of the principles in it, I believe that the building control reform agenda already well underway provides a comprehensive roadmap for embedding a culture of compliance and accountability within the construction industry and for strengthening the building control framework in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (17 Sep 2019)

Damien English: The provision of fire services is a statutory function of fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. The receipt of calls from the public for assistance by the fire service is provided on a 'shared service' basis by three Regional Communications Centres (RCCs) at Limerick, Castlebar and Dublin. My Department supports fire authorities mainly through...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: County Development Plans (6 Sep 2019)

Damien English: The making of a County Development Plan is a reserved function of the relevant planning authority, in this case Mayo County Council. It is a requirement that a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) be prepared as part of the plan-making process for any County Development Plan. This is to inform the planning authority on matters such as the appropriate location for zoned land and, following...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (6 Sep 2019)

Damien English: The provision of fire services, including the requisite premises, personnel, appliances and equipment, is a statutory function of fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 and fire services are provided by local authorities in accordance with this legislation. My Department supports fire authorities mainly through setting national policy and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (6 Sep 2019)

Damien English: The provision of fire services is a statutory function of fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. In the case of Dublin, the City Council provides fire services on behalf of the other three Dublin local authorities also. My Department supports fire authorities mainly through setting national policy and co-ordinating its implementation; providing capital...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Harbours and Piers Development (6 Sep 2019)

Damien English: The technical assessment by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee was completed on 3 April 2019. The lease is currently being drafted by the Chief State Solicitor's Office and once it is signed by all parties, it will be a matter for the applicant to decide when they will commence construction.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (6 Sep 2019)

Damien English: In October 2018, the Government approved in principle the development of a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to defective concrete blocks. In May 2019, agreement was reached with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (6 Sep 2019)

Damien English: The provision of fire services, including premises, personnel, appliances and equipment, is a statutory function of fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 and fire services are provided by local authorities in accordance with this legislation. My Department supports fire authorities mainly through setting national policy and co-ordinating its...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grant Applications (10 Jul 2019)

Damien English: I thank Senator O'Sullivan for raising this case. I also thank him for his honest appraisal of the housing situation and how, despite being potentially complicated, it can work in many cases and help people who choose a different route and try to help themselves. There are systems and processes in place and it is important that we try to work within them. That works two ways, of course,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grant Applications (10 Jul 2019)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for raising the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (10 Jul 2019)

Damien English: Amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations, giving effect to Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Regulations and Major Renovation Regulations, were published earlier this year. The regulations aim to make all new residential dwellings 70% more energy efficient than the performance requirements in 2005. In conjunction with this, amendments to Part F of the Building Regulations were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (9 Jul 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: Traveller Accommodation (9 Jul 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: Legislative Measures (9 Jul 2019)

Damien English: The Marine Planning and Development Management Bill evolved from the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill on foot of legal advice received from the Attorney General in November 2018.   Revised proposals for a more comprehensive, holistic and robust approach to State consenting and development management in the Maritime Area are being developed jointly with my colleague, the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (9 Jul 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...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Jul 2019)

Damien English: As the Deputy well knows, the legislation that was debated and passed in recent weeks and months will also have an impact on rent pressure zones and it will strengthen the position in that regard as well. Naturally, the legislation coming forward in the autumn is something we can use to try to strengthen the case. We will look at all options.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Jul 2019)

Damien English: The decisions about extending rent pressure zones are not made by Ministers or the Department. Under the legislation, a combination of local authorities and the Residential Tenancies Board make those decisions. The local authority would certainly be involved in kicking off that process in any specific town or village. I will certainly bring it to the attention of our officials and the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Jul 2019)

Damien English: The name of a property is not a matter for the Government. The local authorities are engaged with developers on the names which they may call a development. In regard to co-living, there are guidelines set out. Every application will be judged on those guidelines. They allow a certain type of model of co-living. Decisions already made in this area follow those guidelines. No doubt,...