Results 4,001-4,020 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I established the working group referred to by the Deputy, under independent chairman Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine important issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat in the Horticultural Industry.  The working group is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Surveys (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. Following the standard public procurement process, my Department issued a contract to an experienced and expert company to lead on the Irish survey work. The network of my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) conservation rangers has also undertaken a significant amount of the survey work which has helped keep...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Health and Safety (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My officials are in the process of assessing the recommendations of the first interim report of the Consultative Committee, which undertook a review of the issues relating to the impact of gulls in urban areas.  This assessment will inform the resourcing and other implications (including  legal) required to implement the recommendations, where appropriate. This work is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Deputy Murnane O'Connor joined the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and I at the opening of three wonderful housing projects in Castlecomer and Kilkenny city last week, which is always a positive day. It is so uplifting to hand keys over to families and new tenants for very high-quality, A2-rated, highly efficient and well-designed homes. That is what we are attempting to achieve, and will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In terms of the social housing pipeline for Carlow, to respond to the Deputy's question, the construction status report for the first quarter of 2021 showed 13 projects, to deliver 229 social homes, were either at design or planning stage or on-site in Carlow. Details of these projects are available on the construction status report. In addition, there has been some impact from Covid-19...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: With regard to the community centre hub at Tullow Road in Carlow town, the Deputy made the valid point that the community hub could serve over 2,000 houses on the Tullow Road. It is a vital amenity for the community and will provide a lifeline for children and the community alike. The land is owned by Carlow County Council and, as such, the project is being led by Carlow County Council as...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am aware of the demand for wastewater infrastructure in towns and villages where there is no access to public infrastructure, particularly in County Galway, which the Deputy represents, and other areas of the country.  Our Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure delivery programmes around the national planning framework 2018-2040 and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the Deputy regarding the situation in Athenry. It is unacceptable in this day and age that raw sewage could be flowing from people's houses. Our Department will certainly give consideration to that with Irish Water specifically. It is fair to say that Project Ireland 2040 supports the growth of small towns and villages with regard to water services infrastructure. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: We expect the report the Minister has commissioned in respect of requirements for smaller villages and settlements that do not have access to public water and wastewater infrastructure to be completed in the coming weeks. It will be a help to answer the question posed by the Deputy. I appreciate that the preparation of the report includes a broad range of research and consultation with a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The 2018 Indecon Report on the Taxation of Vacant Residential Property recommended that a major programme of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) should be activated by Local Authorities to purchase vacant properties, even when these dwellings are not suitable for social housing. Housing for All: A new Housing Plan for Ireland provides for such a programme of CPO acquisitions, supported by a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As with my reply to Deputy Canney, both Minister O’Brien and I are aware of the demand for waste water infrastructure in towns and villages where there is no access to public infrastructure in County Clare, and indeed in other areas around the country. In fact, I understand that on 27 August last, Minister O’Brien visited the village of Broadford in Clare and spoke to residents...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I established the working group referred to by the Deputy, under independent chairman Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine important issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat in the Horticultural Industry. The working group is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and sectors...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: COP15 will be convened in two parts. The first part takes place in virtual format from 11 to 15 October 2021. The second part will reconvene in Kunming from 25 April to 8 May 2022. On 12 and 13 October, I will participate in the High Level Segment of part 1. Over the past year, I have taken part in several international initiatives addressing the biodiversity crisis, including the One Planet...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Policy on Architecture (NPA) is at an advanced stage of development. Following analysis of the public consultation submissions, a comprehensive report was prepared during 2020 and early 2021 with the cooperation of the National Policy on Architecture Advisory Group. The Deputy last raised this issue in July. At that time, the National Policy on Architecture report had been...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Commission (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to the establishment of a statutory, independent Electoral Commission. The legislative provisions for the Electoral Commission are being progressed as part of an Electoral Reform Bill, which also provides for the modernisation of the electoral registration process, the regulation of online political advertising during election periods...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 322 together. The NPWS review is currently underway and is at drafting stage following the extensive research and consultation phase. It is hoped that the final report, which is being prepared by the Independent Chair, Prof Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin, will be completed before the end of the year. Once the final report and recommendations are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The site referred to by the Deputy is one of 632 proposed natural heritage areas under Section 16(1) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the protection provisions of that Act, their status may be recognised in local authority development plans. While it is hoped to conduct a review of proposed natural heritage areas in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is deeply committed to the development of the National Park in Mayo. In 2017 the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The addition of Wild Nephin area and also, separately a private acquisition of 1,200 acres at Altnabrockey has expanded the total size of the Park to over 15,000 hectares of Atlantic...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am delighted to have the opportunity to provide the Deputy with an update on this important and highly successful biodiversity project. The birds released in August this year were part of the second Phase of this project to reintroduce this magnificent bird to Irish skies. Once a conspicuous part of Ireland’s landscape, they were driven to extinction by human persecution here in...