Results 3,901-3,920 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (25 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board (25 Oct 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. The full conditions for eligibility...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Healy for tabling the motion. I know it is genuine and that most people's comments in this debate and in the debates on housing and homelessness we have had here have been pretty much genuine. I understand that. We might not agree with all parts of the motion but most people want to see the housing situation sorted for social and private housing because it affects many of...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (24 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I am listening.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (24 Oct 2017)

Damien English: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I thank Senator Gerald Nash for raising the issue. I wish to address it by taking two approaches, referring first to the local government legislation, and then to the final consultation of the national planning framework, which is at draft stage. I have read the Senator's submission to that consultation, as have many others. It is important to say that up...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (24 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I again take on board the views of Senator Nash again. The national planning framework is still only at draft stage. We purposely stayed away from naming new cities or new large towns. This is about trying to plan this country in a sustainable way and to realise the potential of all these larger towns, be they Drogheda, Navan, Sligo, Athlone, Dundalk or Mullingar, by giving them the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Pensions Reform (24 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I thank Senator James Reilly for raising this issue. The Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, could not make it here today and sends her apologies. She has asked me to reply. The State contributory pension is primarily for people with sustained contributions towards the social insurance fund, which is financed by PRSI on a pay-as-you-go basis. It rewards such contributions with greater...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Pensions Reform (24 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I do not have timelines yet but when the memorandum goes to the Government, it will outline timelines and pathways to resolving this issue. While the majority of those affected are women, it must be remembered it affected men's contributions too. I will relay the urgency of the matter to the Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, as well as the Senator's...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Guidelines (24 Oct 2017)

Damien English: As one of the actions under the Strategy for the Rental Sector, my Department established a Working Group of all the major public stakeholders with a policy interest in short-term letting to develop guidance in relation to planning applications and changes of use relating to short-term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements. The Working Group has...

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: It is not.

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: To be very clear to the House, what I have outlined here is State land, that the State owns and that we will use to deliver social and affordable housing as well as allowing for private housing in order that we get a combination of houses and provide housing for all the different needs of people, be they key workers, people on the social housing waiting list or others. That is how we will...

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: NAMA has a duty to the debtors, with which it works, to try to maximise the return to those debtors, because most of those guys have debts that they owe and they have to be paid back. We work with NAMA on key sites and we will use NAMA's skills, but there is a difference in the State-owned lands I am speaking about and those which the Deputy claims are State-owned lands. NAMA has a duty to...

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: If the Deputy takes the time to read the plan, he would see there is a commitment of €6 billion for social housing.

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Mick Wallace for raising the issue of housing and the question of State land. He might not realise it but we are actually on the same page on much of this. People seem to keep missing that. Himself and many others who are not in government keep mentioning this magic target of 10,000 social houses annually. We agree on this and have set aside the money that will get us to...

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: We have not.

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: Do they?

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: That is where we are going. Which bit does the Deputy not understand?

Topical Issues: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I am sorry to disappoint the Deputy.

National Archives (Amendment) Bill 2017: Referral to Select Committee (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

National Archives (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (19 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputies for their contributions and for their support for the Bill. I have listened with interest to the input of Deputies on all sides of the House. The various issues raised will be considered further by the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys's Department as the Bill makes its way through the Houses. Issues of relevant costs are being dealt with and have been looked at by the...