Results 4,141-4,160 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Parks and Wildlife Service (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 46 together. Given the enforcement role of certain staff in the NPWS and for reasons of operational security, the Department cannot provide details of staffing in the manner requested and I hope the Deputy will appreciate that. My Department's workforce planning process does not identify vacancies per se across different work sectors, whether arising...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct that the programme for Government contains a commitment to provide for the holding of a referendum on housing. It also commits to establishing a commission on housing to examine issues such as tenure, standards, sustainability and quality-of-life issues in the provision of housing. It is planned that the commission on housing will review the commitment to hold a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, the Deputy is correct. The work of the Government is underpinning a right to housing. Housing is being delivered at a scale of pace. As my colleagues have said, there is a record capital budget for this year and that will continue into the future until we make serious inroads into the housing crisis. It is important to note that the right to housing in recognised in Europe in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Increasing the supply of housing is a priority for the Government and for our Department in particular. I am fully aware that the construction sector has faced a number of considerable challenges over the past year, not least the restrictions on construction activity introduced to combat the spread of Covid-19 and the impact of Brexit and related supply issues. Throughout this period,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: To clarify, the three Ministers are here to answer questions on the issues being raised today. I am very aware of the current challenges in the forestry sector and I acknowledge the implications of delays to the granting of licences for the wider industry and for the construction sector. We are fully aware of that. I am in regular contact with my colleague, the Minister of State, Senator...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy is correct. It is a significant challenge. As I have said, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, are determined to resolve these issues, the logjam about which the Deputy has spoken. There is no doubt but that this has had, and continues to have, a significant impact on the construction sector in Ireland. The Deputy specifically mentioned...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government published a Policy Paper entitled Irish Water - Towards a national, publicly-owned, regulated water services utility in February 2021 setting out our views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector.   This will complete the broad policy and legislative reforms which have seen public water services embark on a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Building Regulations 1997-2019 set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (24 Jun 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, and is a matter, in the first instance, for that Department.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are 630 proposed natural heritage areas. While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Architectural Heritage (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My role with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.  Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I do not have a funding mechanism for such a proposal, nor do I have plans before me in regards to this centre proposal. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Projects (24 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). This year 562 heritage projects across every county in the country were allocated funding from a combined...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy has raised a significant issue. The review of income thresholds is under way. Within the frame of that it is important the issues raised this morning be given consideration. I apologise again to the Deputy; perhaps the question did not frame exactly the response he sought but there could be a follow-up with the Department. I urge him to make this representation through the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The best place to deal with this is through the review process. Go raibh maith agat.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for tabling this matter, although the response may not exactly be on topic in terms of the specific issue he has raised. Applications for social housing supports are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to the modernisation of the electoral registration process. This includes the introduction of rolling registration; the simplification of forms and processes; the use of PPSNs in the registration process; as well as the gradual roll-out of an online option for registration. Together, these reforms will simplify and streamline...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and allowing me the opportunity to outline the position in respect of Irish Water’s responsibility on this matter. The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2017 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and waste water services by Irish Water, and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Deputy Ellis raised important points, particularly about sending out notifications and effective communication. Those points are important for Irish Water to take on board. The Water Services Acts place specific responsibilities on the Minister and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including responsibility for matters relevant to water policy, funding and in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, An Garda Síochána has made clear that the overwhelming majority of owners of licensed premises have behaved responsibly and those who continue to behave responsibly in controlling their premises should have nothing to worry about. A tiny minority of pubs have been serving alcohol to those seated outside agreed areas, and clearly that will be the focus of any Garda...