Results 861-880 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Water Services (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Under my Department’s Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026, no new Community Waste Water Connection (formerly called Group Sewerage Schemes) projects are being funded. I have no plans to make changes to the Programme.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: A letter issued to the Executives of the four Dublin local authorities on 18 October 2024 to encourage the authorities to come together to commence work on a Strategic Plan to consider the balanced and sustainable use of amenity areas in Dublin by light-bellied brent geese. This Plan will gather the best available scientific information to inform an analysis of the current and future use...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Housing Schemes (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: In line with Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the administration of affordable purchase schemes, including the processing of applications and the determination of eligibility for affordable housing opportunities, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in this case Galway City Council. Galway City Council has published detailed guidance on the supporting documentation...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Reviews (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 628 together. The declaration of qualification for posts in the local government sector is a power given to me as Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage under section 160 (1) (a) of the Local Government Act. My Department keeps existing qualifications under review and will, where necessary, and in consultation with the local government...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: The closing date for receipt of applications for the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) 2025 is 14 February 2025. Applications are assessed by an expert panel in my Department and each one is taken on its merits and awarded points under a number of criteria as set out in the CMF handbook. It is expected that the awards for 2025 will be announced in mid- April.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Housing Provision (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: The Programme for Government commits to building on the momentum generated under Housing for All to achieve a target of delivering more than 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030. Housing for All, the most ambitious and comprehensive housing plan in the history of the State, was published in September 2021. The Plan contains a suite of actions that have and continue to increase the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rental Sector (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: Recent Governments have introduced significant changes to the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 - 2024 (RTA) in recent years to enhance protections for tenants and increase the powers of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). T he RTB was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) to regulate the rental sector; provide...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Housing Policy (5 Feb 2025)

James Browne: The Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018 , S.I. No. 30/2018, currently provide for an exemption from the need to obtain planning permission for the change of use of certain vacant commercial buildings, including vacant above ground floor premises, to residential use such as ‘above shop’ living. These Exempted Development Regulations were extended in 2022, to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Jan 2025)

James Browne: It has not been possible to provide a response at this time. I will write to the Deputy directly, when the information required is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (22 Jan 2025)

James Browne: The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. The Act provides for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online, including lotteries and other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (7 Nov 2024)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community-based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour. YDPs are run by community-based organisations and are a vital support to the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme. YDPs are...

Carer's Allowance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: I want to be associated with those remarks.

Carer's Allowance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: The Government is very aware of the valuable work being carried out by family carers. This is evidenced by the extensive measures it has taken to support carers over recent years. The approach to date has been targeted and has involved increases to payment rates in conjunction with earnings disregard increases and targeted cost-of-living lump sum and double payments. This approach was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: The Minister for Transport thanks the Deputy for her comments and I will bring them to his attention. In terms of current developments, design work is ongoing on the DART+ coastal south project to plan for the enhanced DART service level to Greystones and a public consultation for this project is planned to take place shortly. The proposal to extend the DART to Wicklow town, which is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. Since 2020, the Department has invested more than €5 billion in our schools throughout the country involving the completion of more than 950 school building projects and with construction currently under way at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently in construction involve a total State investment of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Public Transport (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising the important issue of public transport for Wicklow. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens’ quality of life and addressing our climate action challenge, and this Government is committed to a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to outline the position of the school. The Department of Education continues to provide very significant funding in support of the education of children with special educational needs, which is a priority for this Government, with over a quarter of the entire education budget dedicated to special education in recent...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Darren O'Rourke for raising the issue of plans and timeline for delivery of a new school building for Dunshaughlin Community National School, Dunshaughlin, County Meath. The school building project for Dunshaughlin Community National School is part of the Department’s construction programme and will be delivered as part of a campus project that will provide a new...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (6 Nov 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for raising the matter, as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify on behalf of the Minister the current position regarding Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel, County Tipperary. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for the Department and the National Council for Special...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (23 Oct 2024)

James Browne: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.