Results 4,381-4,400 of 8,016 for speaker:Peter Burke

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: 403. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider an exemption of VAT on panic alarm systems through the seniors' alert scheme run by Pobal. [17627/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 together. In order to continue supporting businesses and ratepayers, and in recognition of the ongoing impacts of COVID 19 and the associated public health restrictions, the Government put in place a commercial rates waiver for the first half of 2021. The waiver applies to businesses most seriously affected by ongoing restrictions, with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Allotments Provision (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: My Department does not record the number of allotments provided under the Local Government Act 2001, and I have no function in terms of directing local authorities regarding the operation or provision of local authority allotments. Local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions. Allotments are an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Functions (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 478 to 480, inclusive, together. The National Planning Framework (NPF) identifies areas of practical cross-border cooperation, including working together for economic advantage such as the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. Local authorities have a key role to play in economic development within their own areas and it is clear that there is scope to build a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I am not aware of any proposed regulations put forward by the planning regulator, as referred to in the question. Further, a thorough check in my Department indicates that correspondence of this nature has not been received from the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). On a point of information, I wish to clarify that only the Minister has the power to make Regulations; the making...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 503 together. In order to continue supporting ratepayers, and in recognition of the ongoing impacts of COVID 19 and the associated public health restrictions, the Government has put in place a new, more targeted commercial rates waiver for the first half of 2021. It applies to businesses most seriously affected by the restrictions. Automatic...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Development Agency (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency. The LDA have advised my Department that they are expecting to lodge a planning application in April...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: 583. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a mature student who is studying for leaving certificate Irish in a private college (details supplied) will be receiving accredited grades in their subjects; if not, the alternative arrangements available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16677/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: 749. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will be informed of their commencement date for level 4/7 of their apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16761/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: 882. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) and the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out. [16397/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: 886. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a vaccine. [16421/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (31 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: 1171. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on the legislation for the fair deal scheme relating to the cap on farmland and business and if the current charge can be reduced.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17419/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the committee for inviting myself and officials from my Department and the Housing Agency here to discuss the very important subject of housing for people with disabilities. I am joined today by Paul Benson, principal officer in my Department, and by representatives of the Housing Agency, John O’Connor, chief executive officer, and Claire Feeney, senior executive officer. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Senator for her question. She made a very valid point. The explicit aim of what we are doing is to ensure everyone has a housing solution. Currently, a review process is ongoing in the Department of the means test for the income eligibility criteria. In connection with that assessment, we will examine what potential income disregards can be expanded. The Senator rightly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for those questions. The sound and the connection dropped in the middle of her contribution for a few moments but I hope I got the gist of what she said and, if not, she can ask me a second question. One of the key recommendations in the national disability strategy was to have a steering group in each of the 31 local authorities. They are aware of the demand in each...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy. I assure her that the Government is determined to tackle and resolve the housing crisis, as shown by the budget of €3.3 billion, a record budget, in the Department. We have a huge hill to climb, however. The reality, as seen from the new housing needs and demands assessment, is that there is a requirement for 33,000 units per annum. I am very conscious that no...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: The Deputy hit the nail on the head in terms of allowing people to live independently and supporting them to do so. That is the first choice for people. They want to be kept in their homes. I acknowledge that 80% of the grant aid comes from the Department, with 20% a key allocation from the local authority. We will, towards the end of this year, review the thresholds. The various grants...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: My thanks to Senator Higgins for raising those important points. The Minister will be setting the affordability criteria by regulation in respect of the Land Development Agency. This will be a key driver in delivering affordable and social homes. Reference has been made to liaising with the local authority. The local authority will be driving this with the Land Development Agency as the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: My thanks to Senator Seery Kearney for her comprehensive outline of the needs we have to meet. That is important to say. One of the priority actions under the national disability plan is action 1.1. As I mentioned before, this led to the establishment of a steering committee within each of the local authorities. It places an obligation on the local authority to put forward a five-year...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Housing Policy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Mar 2021)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate her comments and her understanding of the situation. As one who has come from the local authority sector, she can really see first hand the challenges that are faced. I have articulated the various schemes and the increased allocations we have made, but one can always say it is never enough because we are speaking about the most vulnerable people who...