Results 3,421-3,440 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 637 to 640, inclusive, together. Work on the upcoming Wild Bird Declarations is ongoing.  Minister O'Brien has extended the existing Wild Bird Declarations by a period of three months up to the end of July 2022. This will allow for the completion of the review of submissions received as part of the public consultation process, the receipt of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Collaborative Town Centre Health Check is an initiative of the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The figure of €2,457 is based on an open tendering process, using a framework established on the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) website. Any successful tenderer would take into account such factors as; cost of materials (chainsaw, chainsaw oil, petrol, chains/bars), the relevant industrial wage, travel costs, distance of the plot from the road. It is the market that dictates...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Turf Cutting (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I am advised that my Department has not estimated the number of persons who continue to cut turf on bogs for domestic heating or the number of individual private holdings on bogs. I would note however that there are many non designated bogs and these are outside the ambit of the designated sites overseen by my Department. My Department administers the cessation of turf cutting...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Turf Cutting (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme referred to in the Question was received by my Department.  With respect to the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation sites encompassed by the scheme, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that: - The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department administers the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF), previously National Biodiversity Action Plan Local Authority Grant Scheme, to assist local authorities in the implementation of actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The funding stream launched in 2018 and is available to biodiversity officers and heritage officers across the country. The scheme enables local...

Housing (Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I wholeheartedly want to reassure the Deputies and the House about this Bill. As I know from my constituency, our common objective here is to help these people who are in extreme pain. This is a very good grant scheme. I will outline further in my closing comments that the streamlining of the application process will deal with many of the issues the Deputy referred to. As I said, the...

Housing (Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: 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 2021, resolves that the Bill be deemed to be read a second time this day 12 months to explore further the extent to which the underlying ambition of the Bill can be addressed in...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this. In the time I have, I will try to outline the response on behalf of my colleague Deputy Mary Butler, Minister of State at the Department of Health. Budget 2022 provided an unprecedented mental health budget of €1.149 billion, including €24 million for new developments. The new-development funding will allow further implementation of Sharing...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I assure the Deputy that the expansion of the programme will occur on a CHO basis and in an integrated manner across mental health services in the primary care division and include a close relationship with the acute hospital groups. The point the Deputy made about people who present at accident and emergency departments and acute hospitals is critical. In response to the Deputy's...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Register (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: It is a very important issue and probably reflective of the many skills that are coming into Ireland with the Ukrainian families who have arrived here in recent weeks. It is important that we support them in finding employment. It is critically important, particularly when there are deficits in our health services around recruitment. Officials from the Department of Health are working...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Register (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Our thoughts are with all of those affected by the terrible conflict in Ukraine. The Department of Health, the Medical Council and NMBI will continue to support Ukrainian health professionals forced to flee their homeland as they arrive in Ireland and seek to re-establish their lives and integrate into our community. As Deputies will appreciate, our health regulatory bodies have a duty to...

Topical Issue Debate: Pigmeat Sector (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: To address the specific issue of the IFA's proposal for a pig stability fund, this is being considered by the Department in conjunction with key stakeholders. It is being requested that a €100 million fund be made available to pig farmers by the Department, with €50 million to be repaid over a 14-year term through a statutory levy on pigs slaughtered or exported live. This...

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Safety (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I assure the Deputy and the House of this Government's commitment in respect of the important policy area of building defects, which is reflected both in the programme for Government and in Housing for All. This Government is committed to dealing with the issue of defects in housing. In this regard, we will continue to drive regulation in the construction sector and more sustainable methods...

Topical Issue Debate: Pigmeat Sector (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, I thank Deputy Smith for raising this issue. It is agreed that it is a key priority for the Minister and the Department and a vital sector for the Irish economy. Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but the Minister is acutely aware of the unprecedented set of challenges, as outlined by the Deputy, they are facing at present....

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Safety (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I offer the Acting Chairman best wishes with her chairmanship. Well done. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for raising this issue. I acknowledge the difficulties the residents of the Metropolitan apartment complex are facing and the stress that is caused when fire safety issues arise in regard to their...

Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Referral to Select Committee (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I have a lot to learn too. It is certainly appropriate that Deputy Durkan made the last contribution of the very important contributions this afternoon and in the last session. I will address a number of the points made and will then make a closing speech. Deputy Connolly referred to the importance of data protection and acknowledged that data protection must be given the highest...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Madigan. The Senator has raised a number of questions. I wholeheartedly agree with him regarding the value of Gaelscoileanna. My children are being educated in Gaelscoil Osraí in Kilkenny, which...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I assure the Senator that the thrust of the response the Minister of State has provided is that she wants to ensure the provision of additional resources to students with special educational needs extends to Gaelscoileanna in an equitable way. I will discuss with her the additional resources he is requesting, as I am sure he also will do. The Senator also raised the issue of capital...