Results 4,021-4,040 of 5,813 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: 60. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide a progress update on the delivery of an affordable housing scheme in County Mayo. [33089/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: 228. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to increase funding for housing adaptation grants for County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33484/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: I welcome all our guests, especially the representatives from the Mayo Pyrite Action group, Ms Hegarty and Ms Murphy. I will stick to the issue of costs. The proposed scheme is suggesting an upper cap of €420,000 for homeowners to rebuild homes. However, a secondary cap on the square footage rate has also been put in place. I thank Mr. Houton for his update on costs. For local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: On the figure the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, has put on this versus what the figure could potentially reach, I am sure everyone is concerned about what will be in the regulations when people go to build. Will the regulations be updated to reflect the current SEAI figure over time? That figure could go up or down. I would like to get the campaigners' understanding of that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: On the guidelines and auxiliary activities within quarries, does the Department have any remit or oversight of enforcement orders against quarries with respect to adherence to the standards of the NSAI? What visibility does the Department have in that regard? Is it the director of services in the planning section or the environmental section in the local authorities who would engage with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: I thank the witnesses for being here today. I have some brief questions. With regard to the engagement with local authorities, including Donegal County Council and Clare County Council, what commitment has the Department made around the administration of the new scheme? What current resources are in place and when will the actual scheme be up and running?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: The workforce plan is an important aspect, and especially when looking for recruitment through the Public Appointments Service. Delays may possibly be envisaged in getting the expertise. Again, the locations will need to be validated and the merits of them will need to be assessed. What does the Department envisage with regard to the required expertise within each local authority to ensure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: On this Bill, has the testing for selection for remedial action for social housing been agreed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: We are in a housing crisis at the minute. There is a huge amount of vacancy. Even the census report we have received to date is delivering data on it. We need to move on these types of houses, which are desperately required by local authorities to be put back into use. Certainly, there should be provision for this in the Bill to move swiftly. Every local authority should look to have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: My last question is on the body of research as it relates to this scheme. It is a huge bill of €3 billion for the taxpayer. Has the Department had any engagement with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science about providing expertise to the level of scientific research required to go into this type of redress scheme? What type of engagement...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Discussion (23 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: In terms of a State-funded project specifically to address the questions that we all want answered, the State should take the lead on this either through Science Foundation Ireland or the Department. That is something that is glaringly absent from an academic point of view.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: 121. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Citizens Assembly will examine the topic of neutrality and NATO membership; if so, the timeframe in which this will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33245/22]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ukraine War (22 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: 241. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to stop Russian imports to Ireland given that Russian associated ships and cargo carrying products made in Russia including agri-food products such as animal feed are still landing on Irish shores; the length of time that it will take to change sourcing of products to other countries; and if he will make...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (21 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: 12. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will be providing small-scale funding for local festivals and summer schools in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32445/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (21 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: Small-scale local festivals and summer schools are held annually across the country, which are largely attributable to successful community engagement in tourism. Many of these festivals have a long history and are part of the fabric of life in towns across Ireland. I would appreciate if the Minister could provide an update on funding from her Department for these types of events.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (21 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: The importance of the scheme in assisting local cultural events cannot be underestimated. Local community events connect residents, keep traditions alive and contribute new elements to the cultural sector. They are hugely important. Scoil Acla, the Ballina fringe festival and the Ballina salmon festival are a few of the hugely important events of significance to towns. These events help...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (21 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: The point about increasing the pot is on the back of the Department of Rural and Community Development, which provides up to €2 million for the Irish Shows Association for agricultural shows. I would like to see additional funding being allocated both to small-scale festivals and summer schools. I acknowledge the input, contribution and support for the Home to Mayo campaign, which...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Funding (21 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: Investment in tourism infrastructure is essential in enhancing the quality of place that visitors experience during their stay. Fáilte Ireland's platforms for growth scheme is an important investment programme to support this objective. I would appreciate an update on capital projects under this scheme for County Mayo.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Funding (21 Jun 2022)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Minister very much. County Mayo has benefited from both rounds of the platforms for growth investment. Westport House is an amazing facility and received a huge investment last year. I was delighted to see two Mayo locations also selected for facilities for water sports at Keel Sandybanks in Achill and Carrowmore beach in Louisburgh. They are fantastic destinations. County...