Results 3,781-3,800 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Approved Housing Bodies (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Central Statistics Office, CSO, is responsible under EU law for the reporting of Government finance statistics, including deficit and debt. It is currently undertaking a review to determine whether the approved housing body, AHB, sector or part of it should be included as part of the general Government sector and whether AHBs should be classified as on-balance sheet or off-balance sheet...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Approved Housing Bodies (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: I disagree with that. AHBs are partners in the delivery of social housing. We are very clear on this. The target is over 50,000 social houses built on behalf of the State in the years ahead. Local authorities will account for the majority of those house while AHBs will account for about 17,000 in total across all the various schemes. They have about 5,000 units coming through the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment Data (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State. There are currently over 30,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 20,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme. An accelerated target of an additional 15,000...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is currently undertaking a review to determine whether the Approved Housing Body sector or part of it should be included as part of the General Government sector and whether AHBs should be classified as ‘on-balance sheet’ or ‘off-balance sheet’ for Government accounting purposes, in accordance with EU rules. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The commitment given to the homeowners referred to was in respect of the actions being taken by my Department to implement the recommendations of the report of the expert panel established to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. My Department, in particular, is prioritising...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: Social housing projects funded by my Department, like all publicly funded construction projects, must comply with the Government’s Capital Works Management Framework, the objectives of which are to ensure greater cost certainty, better value for money and financial accountability. There are nine stages under the  Capital Works Management Framework, which my Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the Pyrite Remediation Scheme. The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme.  In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Safety Regulations (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003, provide the primary statutory basis for fire safety in Ireland. Under Section 18(2) of the Act, the statutory responsibility for fire safety in buildings of all kinds to which the legislation applies is placed on the “person having control” of the premises.  In addition, the design and construction of buildings is regulated under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: I acknowledge the anxiety and upset caused to  owners and residents when building defect issues arise. Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Planning Framework (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The National Planning Framework, Ireland 2040 – Our Plan, is intended to set a new long-term strategic planning and investment context for Ireland over the next 20 years.  It will outline a high-level, national vision for Ireland for 2040, and will provide the framework and principles to manage future population and economic growth over the next 20 years (catering for 1...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo. The panel had the following terms of reference: (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Control Management System (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 261 and 263 together. The issues referred to are a matter for local Building Control Authorities, who are independent in the use of their statutory powers under the Building Control Acts 1990 - 2014. Building Control Authorities are required to keep certain information pertaining to building works that come under the Building Control Regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (7 Dec 2017)

Damien English: Under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, housing authorities may provide assistance to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the provision and management of housing accommodation. Section 6 (6) of the Act empowers the Minister to grant approved status for this purpose.   Bodies which may be considered for approval are as follows: - Limited...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Damien English: I thank Members for the opportunity to say a few words on this important discussion and debate. I am delighted to be here to address the Seanad as part of the annual transition statement, ATS, process. As Members are aware, the 2017 annual transition statement provides key information on climate change mitigation and adaptation work across the largest emitting sectors for 2016, namely,...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Senator can have this copy.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Damien English: I thank all Members for their comments and questions and for this opportunity to respond to some of them. On the point raised about the presence of the various Ministers, the legislation requires that the Minister with responsibility for the relevant actions will be in the House to make a presentation. It does not detail whether that is a Minister or a Minister of State. While I understand...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Damien English: I cannot dictate the rules.The second part of these statements is the written statement. I certainly have no problem with the Minister coming back to the Seanad if time is arranged for him to do so. I will commit to coming back in. That written statement is not complete. There is a lot more detail in it. I am not going to make up the detail. I want to have it in front of me so that I...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Damien English: I would not dare break the rules.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Expenditure (5 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. Further information on pyrite and the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (5 Dec 2017)

Damien English: The Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo. The panel had the following terms of reference: (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by...