Results 2,941-2,960 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Financial Resolution No. 6: General: Financial Resolution (Resumed) (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I am honoured today to announce programme funding of €147.5 million for the heritage sector for 2023, plus €7.5 million through the share island fund, giving a total of €155 million. This figure represents a doubling of the 2020 allocation, with overall capital funding increased by more than 80% and current funding increased by 75%. Such significant investment speaks...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 18, 24, 30, 59, 61 and 71 together. I am aware that some of the Deputies are not here. Housing For All was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing. The review, which examined inter aliathe efficiency of the current banding model and income limits...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: We are hearing the Deputies loud and clear. All of the Deputies made their points very well. Some Deputies were not here earlier when the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, was responding to Deputy Naughten. We will do our level best to have that report ready before the year end. The Minister has stated he is not happy and that he wants to resolve this. He is of the view that the Housing Agency...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has raised this issue on a number of occasions. The sunset clause in respect of the pre-existing 10% social requirement for land purchased from September 2015 to August 2021 arose from a recommendation of the Housing Agency's review of Part V. The reason provided was that it would maintain near-term supply of all types of housing. The review was mindful of the delay that would...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The decision by Government to return the Part V obligation to 20% was the right decision. It ensures that we will have a good mix of tenure in our housing stock, which is absolutely critical. The second critical thing is the near-term delivery of housing supply. In that regard, we have done the right thing. On affordable housing delivery in Limerick, funding of €1.875 million was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for welcoming the delivery of 25 affordable homes in Castletroy. Between 2000 and 2015, Part V obligations under the Planning and Development Act allowed local authorities to avail of up to 20% of the planning gain on relevant land for social and affordable purposes. This was subsequently reduced, as the Deputy is aware, to 10% in 2015 for social housing. In line with the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: On 21 September, Minister O'Brien launched the Ready to Build Scheme as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund.  Under this scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available at a discounted rate to individual purchasers who will self-build their own home and intend to live in it as their principal private residence. It is intended that the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Since 1st January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in waste water treatment plants and returning treated waste water safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner.  The Environmental Protection Agency is the environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government is committed to the delivery of 18,000 Cost Rental homes between now and 2030. This will be facilitated through Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, and the Land Development Agency. Limerick City and County Council has developed a Housing Delivery Action Plan to underpin its delivery of social, affordable purchase and cost rental housing in the period to 2026. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: A changing places toilet is an accessible sanitary facility with a toilet, hoist, basin, adult-sized changing bench and optional shower. It offers larger supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate. There is no current legislation requiring the provision for a changing places toilet in publically accessible...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Section 3(4) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987 prohibits tampering with, damage to, removal of, diving on, survey of, salvage of or depositing anything on a wreck more than 100 years old or an underwater archaeological object without a licence issued under section 3(5) of the Act. Similar provisions apply under section 3(3) of the Act in relation to areas which have been made...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is committed to supporting local authorities in the important role they play in the implementation of actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The Programme for Government outlines our ambition to tackle the biodiversity crisis and includes a commitment to ensure that each Local Authority has a sufficient number of biodiversity officers and heritage officers...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Architectural Heritage (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, including the Planning and Development Acts, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners. With regard to the safeguarding of protected structures, Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 gives primary responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The public consultation for the 4thNational Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) launched on September 1st. The 4thNBAP will set the national biodiversity agenda for the period 2023-2027 and aims to improve the governance of biodiversity in Ireland so that we can better respond to the biodiversity emergency. The Plan also addresses the connections between biodiversity and climate change, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: World Heritage Sites (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department initiated a review of Ireland’s Tentative List in 2019, following UNESCO advice to do so at least every ten years. As you may be aware six applications were received by the 30 June 2021 deadline: 1. The Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands, County Clare; 2. Iniscealtra (Inis Cealtra), County Clare; 3. Trans-Atlantic Cable Ensemble: Valentia, County...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (28 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species. In addition to national legislation, EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species also provides for a range of concerted EU wide measures to be taken with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (27 Sep 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank both Senators for raising this issue. Both are correct in the sense that the initiative has been very transformative and positive. It has been very well received. The numbers speak for themselves in terms of both climate action and reducing costs for students. I understand that the Senators' questions concern plans that the Minister may have to expand the young adult card and...