Results 4,641-4,660 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The Bill we have been considering this evening proposes to repeal spent and obsolete Acts enacted between 1922 and 1950. This is the first comprehensive review of Acts enacted by the Oireachtas and will result in a significant reduction in the size of the Statute Book for that period. This Bill is the sixth statute law revision Bill in a programme which aims to ensure that Ireland has a...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: It is the case that JobBridge scheme, participants were involved in the work on this Bill a few years ago and they did great work. The scheme was very successful and I understand that all of the participants went on to secure full-time jobs. I do not share Senator Paul Gavan's views on JobBridge and believe the scheme was quite successful in many cases. While I would accept that the scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Insurance Costs (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: At the outset, neither my Department nor the Pyrite Resolution Board has been made aware of any properties remediated under the pyrite remediation scheme, which have been declined insurance cover post completion of remediation works. While I am acutely aware of the upset and distress faced by many homeowners who have been affected by pyritic heave, my Department has no function in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: Older persons have specific housing requirements such as being in proximity to their family and social networks and the need for access to public and other essential services, recreation and amenities. In recognition of this, Action 2.16 of the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, commits to a number of pilot projects being advanced, beginning with Dublin City...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 Nov 2016)

Damien English: In July 2016, the Government launched the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. Action 2.19 provided that we would create a pilot competition, focusing on three distinct areas, namely, smart technologies in housing for older people, adaptation of existing houses to meet the needs of older people and life-time communities. My Department has established a Steering...

Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2016)

Damien English: Or some training.

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uisce faoi Úinéireacht Phoiblí) (Uimh. 2) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2016)

Damien English: Yes, I will conclude shortly. Did the House hear Opposition contributions welcoming Irish Water's work in ending long-term boil water notices for some 18,000 people last year? Did it hear praise for its improvements to water supplies which posed contamination risk for 220,000 people? Was there any mention of the 48.5 million litres of water, the equivalent to the daily water needs of...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uisce faoi Úinéireacht Phoiblí) (Uimh. 2) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I thank speakers from all sides who participated in this debate. This has been a positive, passionate and engaging discussion on an important issue. I reiterate the point made by the Minister that we do not doubt the sincerity of Opposition Deputies, including Deputy Joan Collins, in seeking a constitutional amendment to protect public ownership of the public water system. While the...

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

Damien English: The provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme, which is available on the Board’s...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: In recent years sufficient financial and human resources were not available to local authorities and Departments to enable them to tackle this problem which has, undoubtedly, continued to get worse in the past 18 months to two years. Over 2,700 people will exit homelessness in 2016 because we have secured permanent housing solutions for them. More than 5,000 exited homelessness in the two...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Persons Data (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The Deputy is correct. The figures for those who are homeless and those who are living in temporary accommodation are not acceptable. No one denies the figures and that is the reason it has become the Government’s number one priority to tackle the issue. It is also the priority of this House to tackle the issue and to reduce the number of homeless people. The action plan has been...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for raising this issue in the House. On a given night in the Dublin region, there are approximately 1,650 individuals in temporary emergency accommodation, such as hostels and other supported accommodation. This includes an additional 275 beds that have been put in place in the last two years. The most recent Dublin region rough sleeper count recorded 102...

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: To address the concerns of the Deputy on the temporary nature of this measure, the idea behind making the tackling of homelessness and housing the No. 1 priority of the Government is that people will only be homeless on a temporary basis. We are trying to put in place long-term sustainable solutions. Ending rough sleeping and the use of unsuitable long-term emergency accommodation,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Data (3 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The costs associated with developing new homes and the factors influencing those costs are numerous and vary depending on the location and scale of development. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland report on the Real Cost of New House Delivery, published in May 2016, outlined the costs of delivering a 113 square metre 3-bed semi-detached house to the market based on a study of a number...

Topical Issue Debate: Animal Breeding Regulations (2 Nov 2016)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for raising this issue. The regulation of dog breeding establishments is a matter for local authorities in accordance with the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010. Each local authority must maintain for public inspection a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area. This must include the name and address of the applicant seeking entry...

Topical Issue Debate: Animal Breeding Regulations (2 Nov 2016)

Damien English: The Minister, Deputy Coveney, and I fully understand the concerns of the public about the problems highlighted in the media regarding a number of dog breeding establishments. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan has referred to some of those issues again tonight. That is why the Department, an expert group within the local authority veterinary services and other expert stakeholders have undertaken to...

Topical Issues: Airbnb Properties and Planning Permission (25 Oct 2016)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. He is right; it is time we had this conversation in the House. I will give some background information and put the issue in context, but it is a conversation we need to have, not just tonight. It is one we are examining and will be discussing it further. Article 10(4) of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 to 2015, which...

Topical Issues: Airbnb Properties and Planning Permission (25 Oct 2016)

Damien English: We will examine all of the issues raised by the Deputy in the review of the decision made last week. I agree that it would be worthwhile having the conversation, but we will be forced to have it now, which is fair enough. It is something that was on the cards for a while. The Department will review the decision and examine all of the various concerns raised by the Deputy. We will also...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (25 Oct 2016)

Damien English: An expert panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in April of this year to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. The panel have the following terms of reference: (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (25 Oct 2016)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may...