Results 1,501-1,520 of 4,716 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Septic Tanks (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly. We will be launching the new water action plan, the third cycle of the river basin management plan. Within that we intend to expand significantly the number of areas for action and high-status objective areas. That will give added support to householders in those catchments. This comes about because of the deteriorating quality of our water and catchments. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Septic Tanks (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The expansion of the areas will give the opportunity for more householders to avail of these grants.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Septic Tanks (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Some 165,000 households use septic tanks as their wastewater treatment. The contamination and potential for contamination of groundwater in household wells can be very significant for human health and the environment, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants, pregnant women and elderly people and people with underlying health conditions, as well as the risk of phosphorous, nitrogen...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Cost rental is a new form of tenure which was introduced under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, where rents are set only to cover the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes. The Housing for All strategy commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes over the period to 2030, and significant funding is being made available to support provision by Approved...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 together. For 2023, Government agreed an increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding for local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have focused particularly on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Referendum Campaigns (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 104 together. Public ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has committed to holding a referendum on the ownership of water services. Importantly, the establishment of Uisce Eireann in public ownership is already firmly secured under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022. I have previously...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The site referred to is a privately owned site that has not been considered for national park status. The site already enjoys extensive legal protections as a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a designated Nature Reserve. The site is owned largely by the ESB. I understand a management plan scoping exercise was undertaken by ESB International on behalf of the ESB...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: A €7million Community Monuments Fund for 2024 was announced last November, 2023. The closing date for applications to my Department is 14 February next. It is expected that the awards will be announced by mid-April this year.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023-2030 was launched in January and sets out Ireland’s vision for biodiversity, that by 2050 “biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people”. The Plan strives for a “whole of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Grazing by deer is an integral part of woodland ecology. Where it occurs at appropriate levels, it facilitates structural diversity, encourages high levels of biodiversity in the ground and field layers, maintains open areas and stimulates natural regeneration. Unfortunately, grazing pressure in Irish woodlands is rarely at appropriate levels. Sika deer, fallow deer and red deer have all...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (15 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 242, inclusive, and 247 to 249, inclusive, together. Waterways Ireland proposes to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: l am not going to comment on specific cases and nor do think that is appropriate

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Nor do I think it is appropriate to bring specific case numbers into the House.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I do not think it is appropriate.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As I outlined in my opening statement, a root and branch reform of our planning system is under way through the new Planning and Development Bill and the provision of significant additional resources to and reform of An Bord Pleanála, which I think has been welcomed by everyone in this House. The statistics speak for themselves with the numbers of case files being heard and deliberated...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I ask the Deputy to stay for the response.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: In conclusion, I have given my reply to the Deputy. It is disingenuous that he walked out while I was speaking. That really is disingenuous of the Deputy while I am here addressing a question that he bought here. I have given my reply to him and that is the end of that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with that. It is disgraceful.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: At the outset, I will explain that An Bord Pleanála is independent in the performance of its functions under the planning Act, and the role of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the planning system is primarily to provide a policy and legislative framework under which the planning authorities, namely, the Office of the Planning Regulator, OPR, and An...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme currently has approximately 340 participants. Works is continuing in my Department to verify and process annual payments to 191 participants, in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme. Staff are working diligently to process payments and it is expected that all valid payments will have been made within weeks.