Results 4,101-4,120 of 4,881 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In 2021, my Department has made funding available in the amount of €250,000 for Community Foundation Ireland's (CFI) Environment and Nature Fund (www.communityfoundation.ie/grants/types-of-grants/environme nt-and-nature-fund). The Community Foundation provides grants for not-for-profit and voluntary groups working in communities throughout Ireland. The closing date for the current...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Directives (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Article 8.2 of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora), requires the European Commission, in agreement with Member States, to assess the financing, including the co-financing, required to maintain or restore protected habitats and species which are to be reflected in Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) for each...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 468 of 19 October 2021. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) paper referred to is currently at drafting stage following the extensive research, consultation and orientation work. It is hoped that the final paper, which is being prepared by the Independent Chair, Prof Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin, will be completed before the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The number of national monuments in State care already take in some 1,000 sites at over 760 locations around the country. These entail considerable resource commitments in terms of both funding and personnel. Nevertheless, in the interests of preservation, conservation, management and presentation of built and archaeological heritage, my Department acquires certain additional heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am pleased that, as part of the overall allocation of just under €6bn for the Department, heritage funding for 2022 will amount to €133.5m (a 36% increase on the previous year) across capital and current, contributing to the conservation of Ireland’s heritage for present and future generations. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which has responsibility...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As has been set out in the circular from the Department, when additional information on the updated LPT is available the process will be re-examined. While it is unfortunate that the process cannot take place in advance of the local authority budget process in November, the timeline involved takes account of the needs of property owners and the Revenue Commissioners in conducting...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am here on his behalf.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: It is important that we consider those issues. We should be giving consideration to participatory budgeting where members of the public have a say in how their LPT revenue is spent. All those elements are critical in taking ownership of the revenue that is raised by local government and giving people a say in how it is spent in their own communities. My own local authority issues a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Detailed design and implementation will begin in the coming months-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I ask the Deputy to allow me to conclude. I know the response I am giving in my concluding remarks does not give him the answer he requires. Certainly, I will take these matters back to the Minister and the Department. The Deputy made his case very well on behalf of the applicants. It is deeply upsetting for families when they are making plans and travel arrangements. I said in my...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the Government's supports for local authorities, with particular reference to Galway county. As the local authority budgetary period will shortly be under way, my Department has notified Galway County Council and all other local authorities of local property tax allocations for 2022 and of a separate allocation as a contribution...

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...