Results 4,541-4,560 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (13 Dec 2016)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 260 and 262 together. The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012) provided the overarching framework for the pyrite remediation scheme and its eligibility criteria are broadly...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Data (13 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The latest figures available from the Pyrite Resolution Board indicate that 1,458 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme, of which 1,077 have been approved for inclusion in the scheme as follows: - 275 are at remedial works planning stage, - 44 are at tender / tender analysis, - 35 are at tender decision, - 211 are under remediation, and - 512 are complete....

Social and Affordable Housing Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The Taoiseach certainly did not mean he wanted to carpet the countryside with houses. What he meant was we must consider using more brownfield sites in Dublin for housing, as opposed to continuing to extend cities and towns. He mentioned Dunboyne and Clonee and the fact that rather than continuing to extend them we should develop existing sites. That will be addressed in the replacement...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Building Energy Rating Compliance (8 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, is the statutory agency responsible for the implementation and management of the Building Energy Rating (BER) Scheme in accordance with Ireland’s obligations under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Recast)....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (8 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The Report of the Pyrite Panel(June 2012) recommended a categorisation system as a means of prioritising pyrite remediation works in recognition of the expensive and intrusive nature of pyrite remediation and the unpredictability of pyritic heave. The independent Pyrite Panel was clear in its view that only dwellings with significant damage due to pyritic heave should be remediated and that...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2016)

Damien English: It is not a case of having no choice. HAP is one of the many solutions. There are approximately 23 or 24 housing schemes and HAP is but one. It has been very successful in some places. It does not prevent the recipient from working or increasing his income. Some of the older rent assistance schemes prevent one from going back to work or from bettering oneself. HAP has been designed to...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2016)

Damien English: That is up to the Ceann Comhairle. We are agreed on facilitating an extension until Friday but the Ceann Comhairle is the boss in these matters so I will bow to him. I will not take up any more time. Many more issues were raised. We will deal with them on Committee Stage. Deputy Connolly asked about student accommodation. It is a matter of making money available to those in question....

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2016)

Damien English: I will try to respond to as many questions as possible. I am conscious that Committee and Report Stages will be taken next week and we will have another opportunity then to address many of the issues raised. I thank Members for their contributions this evening and last week. There was also a lengthy debate on Report Stage of this Bill in the Seanad, during which many of the concerns...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The Deputy's approach was interesting at that time.

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (7 Dec 2016)

Damien English: I will chase up the Deputy's invitation with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and see if he can fit it in this week. There is pressure this week in terms of trying to get legislation through the House. If he cannot visit Limerick this week, one of us will visit in the near future. The Deputy is aware we have increased funding for Traveller-specific accommodation and capital needs of nearly...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (7 Dec 2016)

Damien English: We can address that. We will chase it up. There have been issues regarding housing in general and Traveller-specific accommodation during recent years. The finances we needed were not always there. Now, the money is there and there has been a massive increase in the spend for Traveller-specific accommodation. We will liaise with the council to see if we can get the money spent and the...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (7 Dec 2016)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and keeping homelessness in focus. This is priority No. 1 for the Minister, the Department and me and we are working directly and together on it. The Minister is not in the House today but he is very much aware of the situation in Limerick and has been there a couple of times since we launched Rebuilding Ireland. We also had a stakeholder event...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (6 Dec 2016)

Damien English: One of the key recommendations of the (June 2012) was the development of a protocol which would facilitate the testing and categorisation of dwellings in order to establish if there is reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material and whether it has caused pyritic heave. In response to this particular recommendation, I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material –...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (6 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The latest figures available from the Pyrite Resolution Board indicate that 1,4 58 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme, of which 1,077 have been approved for inclusion in the scheme as follows: - - 275 are at remedial works planning stage, - 44are at tender / tender analysis, - 35 are at tender decision, -211are under remediation, and -512 are...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Members (1 Dec 2016)

Damien English: I thank the Senators for raising this issue as it is an extremely important area of work and I am glad we have a chance to discuss it today. It certainly reflects the views of the councillors the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and I have met at various meetings in recent months with regard to Rebuilding Ireland and on other occasions. Very strong views were expressed. The Minister, Deputy...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Members (1 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The Senator seems to be hearing a lot of things but I ask him to listen to what I am saying. There is a very clear commitment from the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to deal with this. He said this very clearly and I am repeating it here today. He recognises the difficulty and wants to put the issue to bed, which we will do in the very near future. He is committed to dealing with the issue....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Members (1 Dec 2016)

Damien English: I would rather if the Senator did not make up-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Members (1 Dec 2016)

Damien English: I want to be clear with the Senator. I would rather he did not make up stuff. I am telling him the Minister is working on it. I have been there with him at the meetings. He is working on it and it will be resolved very soon.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (1 Dec 2016)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a remedial works scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope to dwellings which have...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The Senators are. I am looking for a vote too.