Results 3,461-3,480 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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: 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...

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...

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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (5 Apr 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 respect to...

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

Malcolm Noonan: The project that the Question refers to is a significant initiative which will support communities, and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives. Waterways Ireland obtained planning permission for the Project, a 46 kilometre stretch from Lowtown to Athy, including the canal side works and the roadside works. Work commenced on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grazing Rights (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Wildlife Act 1976 prohibits the burning of vegetation growing on uncultivated land between 1 March and 31 August annually. I have no power to permit burning during that period. In relation to the six month period between 1 September and the end of February annually, the Wildlife Act 1976 does notprohibit such burning, although special rules may apply in certain areas such as in Special...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (5 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts, my Department has established and maintains a Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) which affords legal protection to all recorded archaeological sites and monuments in the State, including those on agricultural land. I am advised that reports of the decision referred to were erroneous and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has...

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...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will give a general outline and then I will come back to the Senator's specific points. Our Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs, which also facilitates early return from hospital stays. Our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the Senator in the sense that we have seen year-on-year, as I know from my own county and my own constituency, that the grants are oversubscribed. This is, in itself, a testament to the success of the grant scheme. There is significant uptake. There is always a waiting list. However, we have to give consideration to the rising building costs. They are unfortunately affecting...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Prices (29 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I am taking the question on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of financial supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of housing stock. Much of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Prices (29 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: On the phasing out of fossil fuels, that is something that all parties in this House and across the Oireachtas have signed up to and it is critically important that we continue that trajectory. That said, there is no doubt that the transition needs to be managed and that is something of which the Government is cognisant. We are mindful of the fact that we need to support families through...