Results 3,941-3,960 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (3 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Community Monuments Fund was first established as part of the 2020 July Jobs Stimulus in response to the Covid emergency. Over 2020 and 2021, some 200 heritage projects have been funded to the value of €5.35 million. The grants available under the Community Monuments Fund help custodians and owners of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Forestry Sector (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 222 of 7 October 2021 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Invasive alien species legislation is contained within the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds & Natural Habitats) Regulations, SI 477 of 2011. Legal responsibility for the eradication, containment or management of invasive alien species resides with the landowner. Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are responsible for dealing with derelict sites in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is aware that Emo Court House hosts an important roost for Brown Long-Eared Bats, and that works were undertaken by the OPW at that House in recent years. No authorisation was sought or given for the destruction of the bat roost, and the bat roost has not been destroyed.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under the Wildlife Acts, there is an Open Season for hunting game bird species, which extends from 1 September to varying dates up to the end of January depending on the species concerned. There is no separate licence required from my Department to shoot listed wildfowl unless it is over State foreshore, inland waters and accretions belonging to the State. Under Section 30 of the Wildlife...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In 2021, my Department has made funding available in the amount of €250,000 for Community Foundation Ireland's (CFI) Environment and Nature Fund (www.communityfoundation.ie/grants/types-of-grants/environme nt-and-nature-fund). The Community Foundation provides grants for not-for-profit and voluntary groups working in communities throughout Ireland. The closing date for the current...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Directives (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Article 8.2 of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora), requires the European Commission, in agreement with Member States, to assess the financing, including the co-financing, required to maintain or restore protected habitats and species which are to be reflected in Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) for each...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 468 of 19 October 2021. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) paper referred to is currently at drafting stage following the extensive research, consultation and orientation work. It is hoped that the final paper, which is being prepared by the Independent Chair, Prof Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin, will be completed before the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The number of national monuments in State care already take in some 1,000 sites at over 760 locations around the country. These entail considerable resource commitments in terms of both funding and personnel. Nevertheless, in the interests of preservation, conservation, management and presentation of built and archaeological heritage, my Department acquires certain additional heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am pleased that, as part of the overall allocation of just under €6bn for the Department, heritage funding for 2022 will amount to €133.5m (a 36% increase on the previous year) across capital and current, contributing to the conservation of Ireland’s heritage for present and future generations. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which has responsibility...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As has been set out in the circular from the Department, when additional information on the updated LPT is available the process will be re-examined. While it is unfortunate that the process cannot take place in advance of the local authority budget process in November, the timeline involved takes account of the needs of property owners and the Revenue Commissioners in conducting...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am here on his behalf.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: It is important that we consider those issues. We should be giving consideration to participatory budgeting where members of the public have a say in how their LPT revenue is spent. All those elements are critical in taking ownership of the revenue that is raised by local government and giving people a say in how it is spent in their own communities. My own local authority issues a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Detailed design and implementation will begin in the coming months-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I ask the Deputy to allow me to conclude. I know the response I am giving in my concluding remarks does not give him the answer he requires. Certainly, I will take these matters back to the Minister and the Department. The Deputy made his case very well on behalf of the applicants. It is deeply upsetting for families when they are making plans and travel arrangements. I said in my...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the Government's supports for local authorities, with particular reference to Galway county. As the local authority budgetary period will shortly be under way, my Department has notified Galway County Council and all other local authorities of local property tax allocations for 2022 and of a separate allocation as a contribution...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I sympathise with the family's circumstances. It is a very difficult case. I offer the following response on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. As the Deputy will be aware, the operations of the passport service were severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as were many other Government services. Emergency passport services were maintained during the pandemic, which...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Passport Office continually examines how to improve processing times, including by examining the process for the verification of supporting documentation for first-time applicants and addressing delays that have been experienced by customers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the high demand seen in recent months as international travel has resumed. There has also been an ongoing...

Rental Sector: Motion [Private Members] (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In the time I have I will try to address some of the issues raised by Deputies in the debate. I thank Members for their contributions. Deputy Nash raises a very valid point on the condition of houses where children are living in housing conditions with mould. That goes back to the issue of inspections, which is being addressed by the Government through additional resources this year....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the contention about the great County Kildare. I have Kildare blood in me too. It is a fantastic county. I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is of deep concern to us all. The recent issues at both the Ballymore Eustace and Gorey water treatment plants gave rise to genuine concerns regarding operational failures at these plants as identified by the Environmental...