Results 4,081-4,100 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (15 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Since its launch in May 2020, my Department has been in contact with other relevant Departments concerning the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The Strategy is an ambitious and far-reaching document which aims to strengthen and improve the protection afforded to habitats and species in the EU as well as put in place measures to restore nature and begin the process of halting biodiversity loss....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Programmes (14 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Since its launch in May 2020, my Department has been in contact with other relevant Departments concerning the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The Strategy is an ambitious and far-reaching document which aims to strengthen and improve the protection afforded to habitats and species in the EU, as well as put in place measures to restore nature and begin the process of halting biodiversity loss....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Postal Voting (14 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of a number of categories of electors, including: - - Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners, - whole-time members of the Defence Forces, - members of An Garda Síochána, - electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability, - certain election...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (13 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 332 together. 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 on a number of external factors which need to be considered before the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (13 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 to 351, inclusive, together. The minutes of the first three meetings of the Committee were only finally agreed at the fourth meeting in February 2020 due to detailed inputs from Committee members which required further record updating and intra-membership correspondences. The first Interim Report of the Urban Gulls Consultative Committee was finalised and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Culls (13 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Both species of seal in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal - are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is obliged to maintain their populations at favourable conservation status. We are also required to monitor these species and report to the European Commission on their conservation status. A standardised monitoring programme has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Action 29 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 commits to progressing the accessibility of voting and voter information, building on learning from National Disability Authority research and from best practice. I am pleased to report good progress in addressing matters in this area. In December 2018, my Department formed a Working Group on Disability Voting to bring...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Legislative Measures (8 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Wildlife Amendment Bill 2016 was passed by the Dáil on 13 December 2018. The Bill was passed by the Seanad on 6 November 2019. 16 amendments to the Bill were made in the Seanad. The Bill has to be restored to the Order Paper of the Dáil in order for these amendments to be considered by that House. I am hopeful that the Bill can be restored soon. My officials are currently in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: World Heritage Sites (8 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In line with UNESCO advice that World Heritage Tentative Lists be reviewed at least every ten years, my Department launched a call for applications in January 2019 to update Ireland’s Tentative List of World Heritage Properties. The closing date for receipt of applications was 30 June 2021. My Department received seven applications by the deadline: 1. The Cultural Landscape of the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 251. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has carried out a cost analysis of establishing the free travel scheme as a standalone directly applicable benefit; the estimated cost of such a measure; the projected staff resources required to establish the free travel scheme in such a way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36880/21]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Directives (8 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 328. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for farmers growing maize and their suppliers in view of the banning of oxo-degradable plastic under the Single Use Plastics Directive from 1 July 2021 with consideration of stocks of this plastic having already been purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36879/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (7 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 173. To ask the Minister for Health her views on whether the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes will continue beyond June 2021 in view of the fact that the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel: Final Report requires the nursing home sector to implement considerablere source-intensive recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/21]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rural Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The points about access for services and especially ambulances are important. There has been a 5% increase in the allocation for this year. Approximately 350 projects are expected to be completed this year. That is a significant step forward and we need to ramp that up significantly. I appreciate the points. I will be happy to take the matter to my colleagues in the Department of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rural Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I was here for the first Seanad Commencement matter this morning on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and I am here in the Dáil for the last matter this evening on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, as well. I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this issue. I certainly recall that, during my time on Kilkenny County Council, the local improvement scheme was a hugely...

Ban on Rent Increases Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all Deputies for their contributions. I am grateful for the opportunity to close the debate for the Government on Sinn Féin's Ban on Rent Increases Bill 2021. I have listened intently to the contributions of Deputies since my arrival in the Chamber. As the Minister outlined, the Government is submitting a timed amendment to this Bill and we will consider it again on Second...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo a ardú. The Government published a policy paper, Irish Water - Towards a National Publicly-Owned Regulated Water Services Utility, in February which sets out its views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector. This will involve the integration of the public water system within the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I wish to reassure the Senator on the matter. I wholeheartedly concur with his comments in respect of water services staff and local authorities. They provide an exceptional level of service to communities. They are constantly on call winter and summer, as well as during emergencies throughout the year. We must and do give due regard to that wonderful level of service. We want to achieve...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Employment Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection. The Department of Social Protection, through its Intreo service, provides a range of employment supports to assist individuals, including women returning to work, to gain and sustain employment. Intreo's teams of case officers and job coaches across the country provide a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Community Employment Schemes (6 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator. I know from experience that many women who started off in community employment schemes in family resource centres, FRCs, or community development projects, were able to move on through additional training or returning to education to fantastic careers and could offer something valuable back to their communities. It is vitally important that we offer...