Results 1,181-1,200 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Again, similar to the vacancy and dereliction on the private side of things, we must give a good example from the local authority side. These are the calls we always get as public representatives, concerning, for example, a council property that has been vacant for six months or a year. We must be acutely conscious of this type of situation in respect of leadership. If we are preaching one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Sure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Turning to allocation policy for units as they come on stream, either directly to the local authority or via AHB sector, is a choice-based letting, CBL, system operating in counties Meath and Kildare? What percentage, typically, of units would go on CBL?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Is there a reason it is so low? Is this a new system that has just been introduced and the number of units is being gradually increased in this regard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: What level is it intended to get to?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Wow.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: A person or a family is suspended for 12 months if they refuse an offer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: It works very well in my local authority area. I think every local authority should have a CBL system operating, with about 60% to 70% of all units on it. Obviously, this is the prerogative of the local authorities. I will ask one further question that will be of interest to the Chair as a Green Party member of the committee. Regarding solar panels on housing stock, we are trying to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: What is the position in County Kildare?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: It is not something that can be done in isolation to get the full benefit for the housing stock. If a unit is poorly rated, the benefit of this type of measure is lessened but it is not eliminated. There is still a significant benefit to be derived by the household in respect of the reduction in the use of energy. This is something that needs to be pursued, and perhaps it can be one of the...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Second Stage (16 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State for bringing this important legislation before us. It is relatively straightforward in what it is seeking to achieve.It seeks to separate Irish Water from Ervia and to establish it as its own stand-alone utility, Uisce Éireann. Despite it being a relatively straight-forward piece of legislation it is obviously lengthy given the amount of transfers involved...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Second Stage (16 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I join with colleagues in conveying my deepest sympathy to the family of the late Vicky Phelan. I refer to the expansion of the Croí Cónaithe towns scheme which has been announced by the Government in recent hours.It is very welcome news that this excellent scheme, which focuses on rural one-off properties and properties in our city centres, is to be expanded. The scheme provides...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I support the Order of Business as outlined. I would take this opportunity to talk about a positive decision that has just been made by Cabinet in the last while about the north quays in Waterford city. This is a project that many people have been involved in over the last six or seven years and there have been many false dawns along the way. This morning, Cabinet approved over €170...

Seanad: Housing for All: Statements (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is appropriate we are having statements on Housing for All at this juncture. I always welcome the opportunity to talk about the progress that has been made with the Housing for All plan, which is building on the strong foundations which were laid in previous years. The plan is working, despite what some say. Is it happening quick enough?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I thank both local authorities for being with us this afternoon from Limerick and Waterford. They are two very proactive local authorities in their space and they are leaders in different areas. The benefit of these committee hearings is that we can tease out what is working well and where, and what improvements we can bring to local authorities in other areas to ensure, if not that we are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Some local authorities say that the process is too complex and that there is a significant financial risk. I appreciate that there is. That is why the Government is looking at putting in place an underwriting scheme, essentially. How has Limerick City and County Council overcome those issues over and above other local authorities? Is it that it has just gone out there and taken the risk...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: That fund is key to unlocking other local authorities to do as Limerick City and County Council has done.