Results 1,161-1,180 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Broadband Service Provision (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I am not aware of any problems in relation to the provision of connectivity for broadband in new developments, but I understand that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources wishes to meet with my Department to discuss a number of matters of interest to both our Departments. My Department will be happy to facilitate such a meeting at an early date.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation Provision (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Preparations for the procurement by public tender of suitable housing solutions for homeless families are currently being made by Dublin City Council as the lead authority for homelessness in the Dublin region. My Department is liaising closely with Dublin City Council in relation to this matter. Detailed specifications are currently being prepared. The objective is to secure good quality,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The arrangements in place for the control of building activity have been greatly strengthened in recent times. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 now require greater accountability for compliance with the Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The concept of Universal Design centres on achieving a built environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. In the context of our national Building Regulations, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010 and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together. The necessary Regulations for the new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines are at an advanced stage and are expected to be finalised and signed by end October.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together. Social housing is a key priority for this Government, as evidenced by the additional €2.2 billion in funding announced for it in Budget 2015 and the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020in November 2014. The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1384 and 1432 of 22 September 2015 which set out the position in relation to the review of S.I. No. 9 of 2014. It is worth noting that this review was the fourth review process on this matter when one considers that: - The changes to the building control framework underpinned by S.I. No. 9 of 2014 were originally devised by a High Level Working Group...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Detailed drafting of the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill is on-going with the intention that it will be published during the current Oireachtas session.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety Regulations (13 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together. Local authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 1981, the Building Control Act 1990 and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which may be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in residential developments. Neither I nor the Minister for the Environment, Community and...

Topical Issue Debate: Search and Rescue Service (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Deputy McEntee for the opportunity to address this issue on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. It gives us further opportunity to acknowledge publicly, as the Deputy has outlined, the valuable work of organisations such as Meath River Rescue. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe has responsibility for overall policy and funding of the national roads...

Topical Issue Debate: Search and Rescue Service (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I understand exactly where the Deputy is coming from and her concerns. If one starts to make exemptions for one voluntary organisation, where does it stop? Many of them have great merit, as the Deputy outlined. The Roads Act 1993 specifies the categories that are exempt, namely, the ambulance, fire brigade, Garda Síochána and Defence Forces. I will undertake to bring the...

Topical Issue Debate: Court Accommodation Provision (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. The Minister appreciates the Deputy's interest in the redevelopment of Wicklow courthouse. As the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Courts Service is...

Topical Issue Debate: Court Accommodation Provision (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I acknowledge that Deputy Doyle has put down what is a very important Topical Issue. I acknowledge the efforts of Deputy Doyle and the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, on this issue. I encourage further engagement with the Courts Service regarding the capital plan and the allocation of resources that we have available. As I explained, it is important to note that the Courts Service...

Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2015: Referral to Select Committee (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank all the Deputies for their comments and contributions and for taking the time to speak on this important Bill. The Bill represents another important step in the ongoing development of the Dublin docklands area. It was interesting to hear the views of Deputies on the Bill in what was a wide-ranging debate that touched on many relevant issues. A number of issues were raised, which,...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I acknowledge all the Deputies who contributed to the debate on this Bill. I accept that not everybody is happy with what is in the Bill, but I am satisfied that adequate opportunity for debate was provided and that we had a robust debate on the amendments that were proposed. I acknowledge the support of Deputy Stanley, who said we cannot afford to delay another day. As he said, this...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: We are discussing a group of amendments that would require the Minister, Deputy Kelly, to lay a range of reports in respect of domestic mitigation targets before the Houses. I have stated my position on this issue a number of times, but I will reiterate it to facilitate further progress on this important legislation. I do not accept the validity of establishing domestic mitigation targets...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The necessary Regulations, for the new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines are at an advanced stage and are expected to be finalised and signed by end October.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 now require greater accountability for compliance with the Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. I am satisfied that these measures are appropriate and will ensure a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Development Contributions (8 Oct 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Development contributions applied by local authorities are levied on the basis of a development contribution scheme approved by the elected members which sets out how contributions are to be applied in respect of developments in their respective functional areas. The level of contribution, and the types of development to which development contributions should apply, is therefore determined at...