Results 4,041-4,060 of 4,810 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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...

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

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I want to give that assurance the Senator that certainly the learning experiences from this incident have been taken on board. The Minister, as I said, has acted swiftly and the Senator is correct in saying the investment of €1.57 billion is needed. That is sustained investment that is required over a period of time. The investment of €6 billion over the lifetime of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Council (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am delighted to say that total Heritage funding in Budget 2022 will amount to €133.5m, including, inter alia, funding from the Shared Island Fund.   This represents  a significant increase on previous years funding and reflects my continued commitment to addressing the significant challenges to our built heritage and biodiversity. The Heritage Council...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Royal Canal Greenway is 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages.  Starting in Maynooth, it follows the 200 year old canal through Enfield and Mullingar to Cloondara in Longford, with many cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way.  Construction work commenced on the Kilbeggan section of the Greenway in County...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The current National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was published in 2017 and runs until the end of 2021. An interim review of the current NBAP was published in February 2020 and may be viewed on the NPWS website: . A final review of progress on the Plan will be published in early 2022.  Building on the previous plan, the new document will be informed by the findings of this...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In May 2020, the EU published its Strategy for Biodiversity 2030. The headline goal of the Strategy is to transform at least 30% of Europe's lands and seas into effectively managed protected areas,  with at least 10% under strict protection. The Strategy was endorsed by the European Council in October 2020. These targets are EU-wide and represent a minimum of an extra 4% for land...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 137 of 28 September 2021. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) review is currently 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Projects (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On the 12 October, my colleague Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, and I announced an overall budget package for 2022 of just under €6bn for the Department. I am pleased that, as part of this wider allocation, heritage funding for 2022 will amount to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Common Agricultural Policy (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is involved in a range of ongoing discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the development of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, both as part of the CAP Consultative Committee and in bilateral meetings between the Departments. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on ongoing policy formation discussions with another Department,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department.  The timing and scheduling of the Assembly will depend on the outcome of these discussions and is ultimately a matter for the Department of the Taoiseach, under who aegis Citizen Assemblies are held. There  are a number...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In excess of €47.3m in funding is being provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in Budget 2022, including my Department's dedicated provisions, and funding to be drawn from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Rural Recreation allocations. In this context it should be noted that the NPWS is a constituent  line division of my Department, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am glad to have an opportunity to discuss the European committee ruling and, in particular, the regeneration budget and the regeneration of social housing and flat complexes in inner-city Dublin. These housing complexes are intrinsic to the city and have huge cultural and heritage significance but should be habitable to modern and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The conditions the Deputy has described are unacceptable. When the issue was raised in relation to Oliver Bond House by Deputy Bríd Smith, I had direct contact with the residents association there. It has been very active in Oliver Bond House and I give it great credit for that. That approach from a residents association is good but we have to make inroads in resolving these issues....

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My portfolio as Minister of State with responsibility for heritage and electoral reform is expansive. It spans incredible dossiers from the cultural wealth of our archaeology and monuments, to the distinct architecture of our built heritage, the beauty, resilience and fragility of nature, and our democratic future. Ar dtús, tá cúpla focal le rá agam ar leasú...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Stations (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo. The provision of fire services in a functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Stations (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As we have outlined, there is a clear commitment that this facility will be included in the capital plan and in that regard Monaghan County Council is following all due process to ensure it can be prioritised. Again, I thank the members of Monaghan County Council and the executive for advancing this. I join the Senator in paying tribute to fire service personnel, who do heroic work in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As the Senator knows, the Department of Social Protection pays a range of benefit and assisted income supports, including fuel allowance, which is available to long-term social welfare recipients. On 27 September 2021, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, announced the start of the national fuel scheme for the 2021-22 season. A budget of €292 million has been...