Results 4,441-4,460 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Arising from the recommendation in the Report on the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry, I decided to establish a working group under an independent chairperson to examine the issues which had been identified during the review. Invitations to nominate representatives to the working group have been issued to relevant Government Departments and State Agencies,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Regulation 5 of the European Union Habitats (Rockabill to Dalkey Island Special Area of Conservation 003000) Regulations 2019 provides that certain specified activities may not take place within the special area of conservation, without the prior written consent of the Minister or of another public authority, where applicable. These activities are those which have the potential to cause...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála (19 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important issue, which is also close to my heart, and for giving me the opportunity to update the Seanad on progress in the roll-out of the Plean-IT project upgrading the IT system operated by An Bord Pleanála and the Local Government Management Agency's e-planning project. The operation of an efficient, up-to-date and fit-for-purpose planning...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála (19 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator has made useful suggestions. I will take on board the useful note that he provided to me. We know our city and county development plans are now aligned and moving in the same trajectory. I attended an open session on Kilkenny County Council's heritage plan, which was really fantastic. Members of the public have been drawn into an online portal, consult.kilkenny.ie, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Works on the conservation, protection and restoration of the national monument buildings at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street started in late 2015 with the objective of having the 1916 Commemorative Centre at least partially open to the public in time for the centenary of the Rising. Total expenditure under the contract amounted to €4.48 million, inclusive of VAT, project management,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together. The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was established in 2011 for turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include those affected from raised bog natural heritage areas. It is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In recent days, I have appointed Dr. Munoo Prasad as chairperson to the working group to examine the issues identified during the review of the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry. Dr. Prasad is an independent consultant and researcher. He has vast experience from working in the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Bord na Móna. The role of the chairperson will be to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 209. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the funding challenges facing an organisation (details supplied) which have put its counselling service in extreme jeopardy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9114/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hen Harriers (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan (HHTRP) is nearing completion and is currently being refined and updated as necessary by my Department in consultation with other Government Departments. This has required a considerable review of background information. I intend to have the draft HHTRP ready for consultation as that review is completed, expected within two months. The draft...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Surveys (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Freshwater Pearl Mussel is critically endangered in Ireland and the EU. It is very sensitive to water quality and to land use management that may impact on the rivers in which it lives, including the Munster Blackwater. The Munster Blackwater is a deep, dark and fast-flowing river, and is difficult to survey for these reasons. Data on the status of the Mussel in the Blackwater,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Famine Artefacts (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am advised that a granite pillar was brought to the attention of my Department’s National Monuments Service as possible evidence of the existence of a famine graveyard at the location in question. However, I understand that the Department’s view is that the origins and associations of the pillar are unlikely to relate to burials. While there is insufficient evidence at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Built Heritage Investment Scheme (17 Feb 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). The BHIS and HSF for 2021 were launched on 12 November 2020 with a combined allocation of €6m,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Register of Electors (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Futurecommits to the establishment of an Electoral Commission and the completion of a modernisation process for voter registration. Work on both of these reforms is in underway and they are provided for in the general scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill, which was approved by the Government in December 2020. The general scheme provides for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Projects (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have recently appointed Dr. Munoo Prasad as chairperson to the working group to examine the issues identified during the review of the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry. Dr. Prasad is an independent consultant and researcher. He has vast experience from working in the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Bord na Móna. Invitations to nominate representatives to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Ireland (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Navigation to Lough Allen through the Lough Allen Canal was restored and re-opened in 1994. Since then Waterways Ireland has developed and maintained facilities for boats at a number of key locations including a significant marina development at Cleighran More and harbour facilities at Spenser Harbour. Waterways Ireland has recently received planning approval for the development of a boat...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 906. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation regarding kidney patients and the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/21]

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cultural Objects (12 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Warfield for raising this important issue. I wish to point out at the outset that there is a crossover between the responsibility of my Department in terms of its oversight role in the Heritage Council, museum standards accreditation and so forth and the cultural heritage, which still falls under the remit of the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cultural Objects (12 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are structures in place now through the museums standards accreditation programme to try to oversee what both of us are aware is the very sensitive issue of repatriation. There have been precedents recently. The National Museum of Ireland permanently repatriated two tattooed Maori heads to the Te Papa museum of New Zealand. There is an ongoing programme but what is important in the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Natural Heritage Areas (12 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. To highlight my Curragh credentials, my mother is a Newbridge woman and she met my dad, who served in the Defence Forces for 37 years, at a dance in Suncroft many moons ago. I have a great affinity for the Curragh. I will respond to the matter of the natural heritage area first. My Department has no role in the designation of national historic...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Natural Heritage Areas (12 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I am happy to work with the Senator and Kildare County Council to try and pursue our common set of objectives. The development plan process is a most important one. I have spoken to the heritage officer in Kildare County Council about this matter. While the Curragh has not progressed to legal designation, there is a proposed review of...