Results 2,541-2,560 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines, which the Deputy referenced. The review is addressing a number of key aspects, including noise, set-back distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. I am aware there are a great many applications throughout the country. Guidance on the noise...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I stress that, whatever the project, be it a wind energy project or any development, it is critically important and there is a need for the proposers of a project to engage in a meaningful way. There is an obligation to do so under the public participation directive in the Aarhaus Convention. It is important to stress that it is no longer good enough just to drop leaflets in letterboxes....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: While I will not go into the specifics of any application, the three Ministers here are in full agreement that it is unacceptable that there is this lack of engagement. It is critically important, and I will stress this again, that engagement is meaningful, timely, done at preplanning stage and in a way that is participative and inclusive. Any proposer of any project needs to adhere to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Adult children living with their parents can apply for and be deemed to qualify for social housing support, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria set down in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated social housing assessment regulations. Once qualified, such applicants are automatically placed on the relevant local authority waiting list. They do not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy. Again just to state, it is down to the constituent local authorities to deem the priorities for eligibility for social housing. They do that very effectively throughout the country, and that is critically important. The fact is adult children can be and are deemed to qualify for social housing support in the Deputy's county, County Louth. Some 355 households or 27% of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The issue is certainly not coming from a want in our Department. In terms of the schemes and capital acquisitions, I believe there will be 1,500 this year, and the Minister has given a commitment to pushing that forward if the demand exists. Regarding the prioritisation of applicants in accordance with the local authority's allocation scheme, it is the reserved function of the elected...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Under the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 sets out the general objective of reversing biodiversity loss, so that Europe's biodiversity is on the path to recovery by 2030 and that by 2050 all of the EU’s ecosystems are restored, resilient and x adequately protected. One of the commitments in the Biodiversity Strategy is a proposal for legally binding EU...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Forest Fires (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade and the assessment of fire cover needs, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government approved the General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the designation and effective management of Marine Protected Areas on the 13th of December last year. It is intended that the area of application of the Bill will extend from the high water mark on the shore to the 200 nautical mile limits of the national Exclusive Economic Zone. It would be important not to limit marine...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grants (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I also start with best wishes for International Women's Day. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I know from my own county that this a hugely beneficial grant scheme. I recognise the challenges raised by the Senator, particularly as construction costs continue to rise. My Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of housing adaptation grants for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grants (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Cuirim fáilte rompu; it is great to have them here. Listening carefully to the points the Senator made, I know from my local authority that these grants are transformative. They improve the quality of life of older people and the critical thing is to keep people living in their homes for longer and in an independent way. That is why the grants have been hugely impactful in the ten...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo a ardú. First, planning authorities are required to have a policy on taking in charge within their respective functional areas in accordance with planning circular PD 1/08, which was issued by my Department on 26 February 2008. Second, the legislative process for the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (8 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am taking the question on behalf of my Department so I am the appropriate Minister of State. The question specifically related to taking in charge and the taking in charge process. I am not sure whether Senator Gallagher mentioned issues with Uisce Éireann in a supplementary to that. In that regard and by way of reassurance, I will meet with Uisce Éireann representatives in a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wildlife Conservation (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy. I will outline the general issues around invasive species. What the Deputy has highlighted is a serious imbalance in nature in general across the country because of habitats, invasive species and other challenges. It is an important issue. Our Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wildlife Conservation (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: On the cormorant, we have a significant challenge in terms of data on many species, be they birds, plants or insects. Fishing and angling groups and gun clubs are on the ground day in and day out and they could be of use to us in gathering data on cormorant numbers. That would be most helpful. That is something we will give consideration to. We have a huge challenge with invasive...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue today and giving me an opportunity to outline the position in respect to Uisce Éireann’s responsibility on this issue. The Water Services Acts 2007-20 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I remind the Deputy that the progression of individual wastewater infrastructure is a matter for Uisce Éireann. There are dedicated lines for us to make those representations. The scope of the Kilcummin sewerage scheme included the installation of a sewer network and the construction of a pumping station. The scope did not include the provision of wastewater connections to residents...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: It is a fair point.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Money Advice and Budgeting Service (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Ministers for Social Protection and Justice were pleased to announce in November 2022 that the Government agreed to an extension of the Abhaile service for one year until 31 December 2023, having regard to emerging findings from the strategic review of Abhaile, which is expected to be completed shortly. This extension allows, in accordance with the commitment in the programme for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Money Advice and Budgeting Service (7 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I join with the Deputy in praising the MAB service. We cannot do that enough. The work that organisation does across the country is critically important for families in challenging financial situations. Abhaile is the national State-funded mortgage arrears resolution service that provides expert financial and legal advice and assistance to borrowers in home mortgage arrears, with the...