Results 4,021-4,040 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Data (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage.  The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme.  The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Stations Provision (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: A five-year Fire Services Capital Programme is currently underway within my Department. This has an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The area in question appears to be State Owned Foreshore. However, there is no record of consent being granted to carry out any reclamation works.  It has been used and occupied for many years without consent and without the payment of rent which, except in exceptional circumstances, foreshore leases or licences attract.  My Department is in on-going...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (11 Sep 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: Housing Data (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The Higher Education Authority published the Report on Student Accommodation: Demand & Supply in 2015 which indicated that the demand for student accommodation currently exceeded supply in certain parts of the country. The report included extensive discussions with Higher Education Institutes and other stakeholders and found that the shortages of available accommodation are high...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: Under the Foreshore Act 1933, the removal of beach material, including seaweed, is prohibited without the consent of the Minister. The named company has applied for a licence to harvest wild seaweed. During the course of assessing this and a number of other similar applications, it became clear that certain rights to harvest seaweed exist....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Guidelines (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: Following engagement between the European Commission and my Department regarding the 2013 ECJ Court ruling in the Flemish Decree case, a working group comprising representatives from my Department and planning authorities was established to review and, where necessary, recommend changes to the 2005 Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing with a view to ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: New buildings and extensions or material alterations to existing buildings must comply with the legal minimum performance standards set out in the Building Regulations 1997 - 2017.  In this context, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, set...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Estates (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The taking-in-charge of residential developments is the responsibility of local authorities.  My Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in April 2016 to support and accelerate overall national action on the taking-in-charge process, including estates with developer provided water services infrastructure. The NTICI was intended to develop better...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Costs (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: My Department has a team of Technical Advisers who monitor, on an ongoing basis, construction projects for which we are the sanctioning authority.  The last 18 months has seen much increased activity in this area with many project tender returns assisting towards the development of a reliable database in respect of housing construction projects in which my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: While I am aware of the project referred to, my Department is not directly involved in it. Government policy acknowledges the benefits of more compact development at urban locations proximate to public transport and other local services, as outlined under statutory Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Guidelines issued by the Minister in 2009 under Section 28...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (11 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2040 to 2042, inclusive, together. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The process of Agrément certification applies to those products and processes which do not fall within the scope of existing construction standards, either because they are...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Damien English: Obtaining planning permission is one of the key steps in enabling housing providers to produce the homes we all need. The process of obtaining planning permission takes time, reflecting the importance of getting the location and design of new development right. Once permission is granted, it normally lasts for five years to enable the relevant development to be built out. However, due to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Damien English: I will try to address as many questions as I possibly can. I thank all the Senators who spoke for their contributions, along with all the colleagues who spoke on this matter in the Dáil last week. The purpose of this Bill is twofold. The first purpose is to enable the immediate commencement of section 28(2) of the Planning and Development Housing and Residential Act 2016, enacted on...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Damien English: Under the principal Act the planning authority has discretion to say they do not need the five years. I think we are making progress with regard to Rebuilding Ireland. Compared with last year there are now 10,000 houses in the social housing pipeline. They are not all on site but over 2,000 are on site and being worked on at the moment. They were not there a year ago. That is progress....

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Damien English: No. That is it. We are saying up to 2021 under the Rebuilding Ireland action plan. I cannot say what some future Government will do but that is not our intention. Amendments are not necessary on Committee Stage. We discussed them in the Dáil already. Senator Ó Clochartaigh asked would this allow someone put in the foundation, then sit back and do nothing. That is not the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Jul 2017)

Damien English: I will try to answer most of the questions posed. I missed Senator Humphreys' question earlier. The delay in the provision of affordable units in Dublin is not due to a lack of relevant legislation. Senator Humphreys raised the issue last week and I know he hoped to discuss it again this week. I am happy to debate the issue but the delay is not due to lack of legislation. Many such sites...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Standards (13 Jul 2017)

Damien English: The Government’s Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, sets out a number of actions in relation to standards, with the combined aim of improving the quality and management of rental accommodation.   On 1 July 2017, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 came into operation with new requirements focusing on tenant safety,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (13 Jul 2017)

Damien English: The 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 is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme, which is...

Topical Issue Debate: Naas Town Centre (12 Jul 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this issue again. It could be the fifth or sixth time we have debated it-----