Results 14,641-14,660 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (18 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department is working closely with all local authorities in relation to increasing and accelerating the delivery of a range of social housing programmes and supports, including rapid build/delivery homes. At the end of 2016, a total of 350 rapid build homes were advancing through various stages of delivery, including construction, with 22 such homes being delivered and...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Government Reform (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: I acknowledge the pace of growth of Drogheda. There is a series of reasons for that growth, including its proximity to Dublin and to international connections through Dublin Airport and the fact that it has provided an affordable option for home buyers. It has also built a big economy in its own right and is a regional driver in its own right. However, I do not think the solution here is...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Government Reform (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: Local government areas are specified in primary legislation. Section 12 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 states the State is divided into local government areas known counties and cities and cities and counties. The Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides for three cities - Cork, Dublin and Galway - and for each of them to have a city council. If an additional city council...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: The requested information is not available in my Department. Local authorities operate on an accrual accounting basis and recognise income and expenditure as incurred relating to the accounting period concerned, regardless of the cash transactions.  The Annual Financial Statements (AFSs), therefore, do not show cash movements or cash on hand in relation to development contributions...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: Overall responsibility for the Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23 January 2017, rests with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. However, as the proposal listed at Action 6 therein relates to a planning matter, its delivery falls to my Department. The proposed action - allowing for the change of use of vacant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Rural Resettlement Scheme (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government's Action Plan for Rural Development- Realising our Potential has a clear objective of working across Government Departments to deliver a co-ordinated group of strategies to ensure the success of vibrant rural communities across Ireland. I hope to bring forward policy proposals under the Action Plan that will cover a broad range of issues in housing,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Administration (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a key Government priority and the accelerated roll-out of the scheme on a national basis was an important early action for completion in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. The nationwide roll out of the HAP scheme was completed with its introduction, on 1 March 2017, to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: There has been no expenditure by my Department, including Met Éireann, on renting car park spaces in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017. My Department encourages the use of public transport by its staff through the operation of a Travel Pass Scheme under which they purchase an annual bus or rail pass in a tax efficient manner approved by the Revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Agencies Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as follows: Agency Email address An Bord Pleanála...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Administration (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: One of the key functions of housing authorities is to provide or manage the provision of social housing support in a way that counteracts undue segregation between persons of different social backgrounds and ensures the provision of an appropriate mix of dwelling types and tenure classes. Once a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Functions (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: I refer to the reply to Question Number 562 of 16 September 2016. The position is unchanged. If an additional city council were to be established, this would have significant implications for the county in which the area concerned is situated, particularly loss of functions of the relevant county council. Provision for this and in relation to other consequential matters would have to be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 to 157, inclusive, together. Section 28(2) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provides for a second extension of the duration of planning permissions relating to developments of 20 or more houses in specified circumstances.  An amendment to the section 28(2) provisions was tabled by me at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Data (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: The details requested in relation to the number of persons that are employed under the aegis of my Department through agencies are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as follows: Agency...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (17 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: To date in 2017 my Department has not paid external agencies or consultants for any work in relation to investigations undertaken in human resources or industrial relations including hiring or interviewing of staff.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (16 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: Since May 2016, I have been liaising closely with my colleague Minister Naughten, having regard to his responsibility for renewable energy policy, on the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines relating to noise, setback distance and shadow flicker, recognising the need to bring the review to a close and provide certainty on the matter to all stakeholders, local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (16 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: Kildare County Council included a proposed Kilmacreddock/Barrogstown Group Sewerage Scheme in their 2013, 2014 and 2015 requests for funding under my Department's Rural Water Programme. My Department approved a grant of €12,493 under the 2014 programme for a Feasibility Study on the proposed scheme. The Study, in its recommendations, stated that the preferred and least cost option...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (16 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department engaged with Kildare County Council on costs associated with the proposed Ballyna Group Water Scheme in 2015. Kildare County Council did not include this scheme in its 2016 bid for funding under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018. I understand that proposals for Ballyna Group Water Scheme are dependent upon related investment in major public water...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Turf Cutting (16 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently reviewing draft Regulations under the European Communities Act 1972, which will establish a new regulatory regime in respect of large-scale peat extraction.  In light of comments received during consultations with interested parties and stakeholders, I expect that these Regulations will be finalised by the end of June.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Heritage Sites (16 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have no function in this matter. The provision of funding to local authorities for specific purposes rests with the appropriate Minister, in this case the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Services (16 May 2017)

Simon Coveney: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The installation of water services infrastructure is an operational matter for the utility and one in which I have no function. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries...