Results 4,881-4,900 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Other Questions: Irish Water (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: It is not that simple.

Other Questions: Housing Policy (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for the question. In the context of social housing provision, my Department has undertaken analysis in respect of the average costs associated with the delivery of a range of differently sized social housing units, both in terms of construction costs and all-in costs. These costs are based on an analysis of returned data from local authorities on social housing schemes...

Other Questions: Housing Policy (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: One more line might just help the answer. Built into the plan is a gathering of information from all sides and stakeholders on the costs of construction. That includes those in the business, those who work for developers and those with various skills as well as departmental officials across Government. There is a lot of analysis there and we going deeply into the figures to see what we can do.

Other Questions: Housing Policy (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: If it is of help to the Deputy, I note that the programme for Government and the action plan for housing being developed are focused on increasing the supply of housing both in the private and social markets by a combination of all the various arrangements. 2 o’clock Part of that is ensuring houses are affordable and available to people in the right place, facilitating them where...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: There are three incremental purchase schemes currently in operation for new and existing local authority houses and for local authority apartments. The new tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses, to which the Deputy refers, came into operation on 1 January 2016 and it is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: I agree with Deputy Cowen. I would have thought more would have come forward too, but we are only in the first six months of the scheme. I will be honest with the Deputy in that not many people are knocking at my door saying the scheme does not suit them. On the face of it, it is quite a good scheme with quite generous discounts which are now based on a person's income, unlike the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: I have not yet had the chance to review the Bill Fianna Fáil is bringing forward. Regarding Part V units, which I meant to address during the first part of my reply to the question, I do not necessarily agree with the Deputy's views. The Department has a very clear view on this as well, and it is a view I will share until someone convinces me otherwise or that we are wrong on this....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regeneration Projects Funding (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: As the Deputy will be aware, regeneration projects funded by my Department target the country’s most disadvantaged communities, including those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Library Services (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: Proposals to introduce changes to the library management model are outlined in the report Managing the Delivery of Effective Library Services. The proposed operating model seeks to put in place planning and implementation arrangements that will deliver more effective and efficient public libraries with a view to securing the delivery of an enhanced quality and range of services. This will...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: The specific matters in relation to the Longboat Quay development are currently before the Courts and, as a consequence, are subjudice. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this development at this time. In response to the many building failures that have emerged over the past decade, my Department introduced the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Incidence (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: The independent Pyrite Panel, which was established in September 2011, undertook a desktop study, in conjunction with stakeholder consultation, to establish certain facts in relation to the potential exposure of pyrite in dwellings. The information was gathered from a number of sources including local authorities, structural guarantee providers, representatives of homeowners, private...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (29 Jun 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 recommendation, I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1:...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: The expert panel on concrete blocks has met on three occasions since it was established in early April last and is continuing to review the information that has been made available to it in relation to the problems that have emerged in affected homes. Additional information has been sought from affected homeowners as well as from Donegal and Mayo County Councils, which will be of assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (29 Jun 2016)

Damien English: The new Programme for Partnership Governmentsets out the ambitious priority attached to urban regeneration by the new Government, with a series of specific actions set out therein as to how it is proposed to facilitate the regeneration of our urban centres. In this context, I have established a working group, which I will chair, comprising senior representatives from my Department, local...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Services for People with Disabilities (28 Jun 2016)

Damien English: While I have no role in relation to the regulation of public houses serving food, my Department is responsible for the Building Regulations 1997 to 2014,which provide for the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings. All new buildings must comply with the legally enforceable minimum performance standards set out in the Building Regulations. In this regard, the Building...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reports (28 Jun 2016)

Damien English: While costs are examined in the context of the delivery of social housing and in proposing amendments to the regulatory environment, my Department has no role in relation to the audit of construction costs in the commercial sector. In relation to residential development, in the context of social housing provision, my Department undertakes analysis in respect of the average costs associated...

Topical Issue Debate: Library Services (22 Jun 2016)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and giving me an opportunity to bring some clarity to it. Yesterday, I spoke at an event in Tullamore library. I was delighted to be present for the launch of two very important initiatives involving longer opening hours and ease of access when no staff are present. The intention is that people can access the library by means of a pincode and card,...

Topical Issue Debate: Library Services (22 Jun 2016)

Damien English: I will reiterate what I said in case it is not clear enough for Deputy Barry. When I said I understand, it means I understand and am aware of the concerns of the staff involved, just as Deputy Barry does. I do not say I agree with all the concerns. I reiterate that the shared library management model is not about an amalgamation of the library service; rather it is an enhancement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety Regulations (22 Jun 2016)

Damien English: Part B of the Building Regulations 1997 (as amended) sets out the legal requirements in relation to fire safety in respect of new buildings and in respect of existing buildings undergoing works involving an extension, material alteration or a material change of use. The requirements under Part B represent the national statutory minimum standards of fire safety provision applicable to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (21 Jun 2016)

Damien English: I think it is quite clear. Naturally, any planning application judge has to assess all the associated procedures to ensure that all the environmental impacts, including any potential hydrological impacts, are fully considered and assessed in the consideration of individual planning applications. I can only assume that was done. It should have been done. The regulations are there. That is...