Results 15,861-15,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Services Funding (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that Clare County Council's Rural Water Monitoring Committee has sought a clarification in relation to my Department’s new Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018 and a reply will issue shortly. In 2016 an Expert Panel, convened for the purpose, considered bids from local authorities for schemes for the period 2016-2018 under Measures 3, 4 and 5 of the multi-annual...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: County Development Plans (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department is presently engaged in consultations with planning authorities regarding potential modifications required to the 2005 Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing with a view to ensuring that rural housing policies and objectives contained in development plans comply with Article 43 (Freedom of Movement of People) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that my Department has received a proposal from Mayo County Council, seeking Government approval to designate Ireland Airport West, Knock County Mayo as a Strategic Development Zone under Section 166 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). My Department has engaged with the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport in relation to this matter, including in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government has set out ambitious targets for the delivery of social housing supports over the lifetime of Rebuilding Ireland. Last year, over 18,300 social housing supports were provided across a range of delivery programmes. Within this, preliminary data show that around 5,280 new social houses were either purchased, leased, remediated or built by local authorities and approved housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Projects (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: The following table sets out the potential projects submitted by my Department to the Department of Finance in November 2014 in respect of the task force report for the European Fund for Strategic Investment. Project Implementing Agency Description Total Investment (€m) Social Housing Local Authorities Social Housing- 1 ,500 units over three years 250.00 Retrofit Local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Grants (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: Rusheen No. 3 Group Water Scheme was included by Kerry County Council in its bid under Measure 3 of the Rural Water Multi-Annual Programme 2016-2018 for funding those group water schemes in areas where a public scheme and private wells are not a viable option. However, following examination of all local authorities' proposals under this measure by the Expert Panel convened for this purpose,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: I presume the Deputy is referring to proposals submitted by local authorities under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund. The aim of this Fund is to relieve critical infrastructural blockages to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites and to improve the economic viability of new housing projects in Dublin and in urban areas with high demand for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: Action 4.6 of Rebuilding Ireland provides for the introduction of an affordable rental scheme to enhance the capacity of the private rented sector to provide quality and affordable accommodation for households currently paying a disproportionate amount of disposable income on rent. As set out in the recently published Strategy for the Rental Sector, this commitment is to be progressed through...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Funding (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: The assessment of a proposal for the provision of 11 new social units by Cluid Housing Association, as a second phase development at Letterfrack, County Galway, will be finalised shortly. I therefore expect to be in a position to convey a decision to Galway County Council within the next two weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s new Rural Water Multi-annual Programme 2016-2018 was developed through a working group of key stakeholders involving local authorities, the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes as well as my Department. The programme provides for the funding of demonstration Group Sewerage Schemes, through Measure 4(d), where...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reports (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department appointed Senior Counsel on a non-statutory basis in September 2015 to prepare a review report in relation to planning matters in Donegal. Senior Counsel was originally due to submit a review report to my predecessor by end-October 2015; however, further interactions and clarifications sought with regard to the scope and nature of the review resulted in delays to its...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Judicial Reviews (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: In relation to judicial review proceedings concerning decisions by me as Minister to direct planning authorities on the content of their development plans, one case was settled but legal costs arising have not yet been determined. A further two cases have not yet been heard by the High Court, and so costs are not yet known.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff Data (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together. There are one Secretary General and 6 Assistant Secretaries General in my Department, along with 2 further Assistant Secretary General equivalent posts. The current pay scales for both grades are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at. Under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Strategy for the Rental Sector (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: On 13 December 2016, Government approved the publication of a Strategy for the Rental Sector, which delivers on a commitment made under Pillar 4 of Rebuilding Ireland. The strategy is structured around 4 key areas: security, standards, supply and services. The overarching objective of the strategy is to increase security and supply and support the development of a stable, strong and viable...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Construction Contracts (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department has responsibility for the provision of funding for social housing construction projects delivered through local authorities and approved housing bodies. As they are the delivery agents for social housing, they conduct the procurement exercises for the projects, including rapid build/delivery solutions. Contractors, whether commercial or not for profit, are welcome to compete...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: County Boundary Reviews (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: In June 2015, an independent statutory Committee was appointed to carry out a review of local government boundaries in Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford. In each case, the committee was asked to carry out a review of the boundary between the respective local authorities and to make recommendations with respect to those boundaries and any consequential matters that they consider...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Fire Service (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Scheme to Support National Organisations (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community & Voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding under the Scheme commenced on 1 July 2016, for a period of three years. I approved 71 organisations for funding, with a total envelope of €16.7 million...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water Services (24 Jan 2017)

Simon Coveney: To ensure parity of treatment between domestic consumers in the public water system and the group water sector, a subsidy grant was introduced by my Department for group water schemes in 1997. The subsidy is payable to a group water scheme towards their operating costs of providing water for domestic use. The subsidy is payable annually and paid on a per house basis once the scheme qualifies....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (24 Jan 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. Water supply issues are operational matters for the utility and one in which I have no function. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team...