Results 3,801-3,820 of 15,555 for speaker:Eoghan Murphy

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Deputy for his question. Legislation to amend the European constituencies and to allow for the additional seats to be filled in the European elections due to happen at the end of May is before us. These elections will happen at the same time as the local elections. Both of these elections will go ahead regardless of what happens in the Brexit conversations going on at the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Noise and visual amenity setback distances are the primary criteria in determining the minimum distance between a wind farm and the nearest residences. The current criteria in this regard are set out in the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Guidelines which, in addition to reviewing the noise and setback distance...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector Strategy (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 566, 567 and 575 together. Acknowledging that renters in Dublin and other urban centres are currently facing significant access and affordability challenges, the Government is committed to the introduction of a not-for-profit, cost rental sector in Ireland. Together with delivering more affordable and predictable rents, cost rental will make...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 to 572, inclusive, together. While my Department does not have specific figures for the estimated cost of installing or converting the heating systems of social or affordable homes, the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for 2018 amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations in relation to dwellings, concerning homes irrespective of their...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: My Department does not have specific data on heating systems relating to publicly owned residential units. However, the SEAI residential energy use report shows the breakdown of space heating fuels for housing on a national basis, based on the 2016 CSO Census, as oil 41%, natural gas 34% and electric heating as 9%.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service Staff (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: International research indicates that a retirement age of 55 is the optimum age to ensure that fire-fighters are capable of satisfactorily performing the tasks expected of them.  The retirement age of 55 years of age was introduced because of health and safety considerations related to the job. Since the enactment of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 1989, and underpinned...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ministerial Correspondence (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Resolving homelessness is a top priority for the Government.  Pillar 1 of Rebuilding Ireland, the Government's Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, sets out a range of measures to support those individuals and families experiencing homelessness.  In order, to minimise the use of hotels and B&Bs for emergency accommodation, my Department is working with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Planning and Development (Amendment)(Fees) Regulations 2018 amend article 168 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to provide that the fee for making a submission or observation to a planning authority in respect of a planning application shall not be payable by a member of a local authority acting in his or her capacity as a member. This waiver does not extend to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Agency (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), who agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Brexit Negotiations (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship, both of which we were endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, were conducted on behalf of the EU27 by the EU's Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and the Commission's Article 50 Taskforce. Brexit is a priority issue for this Government, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The Planning & Development (Amendment) Act 2018 provides the statutory footing for the establishment of the Office of the Planning Regulator. This Act was signed into law by the President on 19 July 2018. However, Part 2 of the Act relating to the Office of the Planning Regulator has not been commenced yet, pending the recruitment of the Planning Regulator who will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service Staff (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: My Department has not received correspondence from the person concerned, but has received correspondence from Kildare County Council on this matter. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is the Chief Executive of the Council who is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Staff Data (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 to 585, inclusive, together. There were 389.68 full time equivalent (FTE) males and 320.74 FTE females employed in my Department at the end of October 2018. This is a ratio of 1.2 males to 1 female. The table below sets out the breakdown of males to females at each grade equivalent. Gender Analysis at end October 2018* (*Latest verified data) Grade...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Appointments to State Boards (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: In line with a Government Decision of 25 November 2014and Guidelines put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS), currently advertises board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister, have nominating rights under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (11 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: Under Action 18 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector, a Working Group was established, involving representatives of all major public stakeholders with a policy interest in short-term lettings, to develop guidance in relation to planning applications, changes of use relating to short-term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements.  Proposals under consideration by...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I am aware of the concerns raised by the Deputy and the commitments that were made at the time of the budget following consultations with Deputy McHugh, the Deputy and other Members. A scheme has been designed. A scheme for next year has been agreed and will be announced this year. I will be meeting with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and the Taoiseach to discuss further details...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: The housing provided for these families has been a very secure source of accommodation for them over an 18 month period. A commitment has been given that no family will be evicted into homelessness from emergency accommodation.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 278 together. My Department approved funding of €1.1m for this scheme in July 2018 and it is now a matter for Wicklow County Council to progress the scheme to construction. Architectural and Assigned Certifier Services for this project were provided by the local authority while other services were externally resourced and appointed. Funding in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (6 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: My Department publishes a quarterly Social Housing Construction Status Report, which provides information on the status of many of the various social housing new build projects underway nationally. The report includes details of schemes being progressed by the local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. A dedicated budget is in place to fund the delivery of Traveller-specific...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (6 Dec 2018)

Eoghan Murphy: I understand that it is not the case that there are 91 existing social homes that are vacant and in need of funding to allow them to be re-let by Louth County Council. In fact, the majority of the 91 properties referred to have been acquired by Louth County Council under the Buy & Renew Scheme and are being upgraded so they can be let for the first time as new social housing. The...