Results 16,941-16,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: EU Directives (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Water Framework Directive requires that abstractions of surface water or ground water which are likely to have a significant effect on water status must be regulated. My Department is currently examining how best to address this requirement in a proportionate and efficient way. While no decisions will be made on any proposals in this regard until thorough public consultation is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Mortgage Protection Policies (15 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme is overseen by the Mortgage Protection Committee which is a sub-committee of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and is representative of the CCMA, local authorities, the Housing Finance Agency and my Department. The local authority MPI scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together. The objective of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to encourage support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the Scheme towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Protection of Tenants in Receipt of Rental Supports (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These specify requirements in relation to a range of matters such as structural repair, sanitary facilities,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Potential (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is not appropriate for me to comment directly on an application that will come before me for determination. However, I can advise that the person referred to in the Question met this week with senior officials in my Department’s Marine Planning and Foreshore Unit and set out in detail his proposals.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Compulsory Purchase Orders (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have not been made aware by local authorities or An Bord Pleanála of any difficulties or issues regarding the procedures for the compulsory acquisition of land at dangerous locations along regional and local roads for road enhancement purposes, and I have not received any request to amend the relevant procedures in this regard which are set out in the Housing Act 1966, as amended....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 174, inclusive, together. In making my decision not to issue a Direction to Meath County Council in relation to the zoning issue referred to, I considered all of the relevant information available to me. This included the Council Chief Executive’s report, and recommendations on the submissions received relating to the draft direction. I took...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation Provision (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 177, inclusive, together. Edel House is a facility owned and operated by Good Shepherd Services, which provides emergency accommodation for women and children that are homeless and also residential accommodation for teenage girls who are out of home for various reasons. Good Shepherd Services submitted a capital development proposal to my...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Provision (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: In response to the level of demand for social housing, the Government has identified a range of actions in order to deliver additional housing units through a variety of new-build and acquisition mechanisms, as well as leasing arrangements and tackling vacant stock. In the case of Cork, in 2016, Cork City are on target to deliver 78 units under the acquisitions programme and 255 units under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together. My Department’s Community & Voluntary Supports & Programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. This programme supports 21 Volunteer Centres and 8 Volunteer Information Services, as well as a number of national organisations, including Volunteer Ireland. Over...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Data (10 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy. However, in May 2016, the Housing Agency presented a paper in relation to vacant homes in Ireland to the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness which – on the basis of the 2011 Census – indicated there were 230,056 unoccupied residential properties (excluding holiday homes) across the State....

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uisce faoi Úinéireacht Phoiblí) (Uimh. 2) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to participate in this evening's debate, which provides another useful opportunity to discuss issues concerning the public water system and its importance to citizens, communities, our economy and the environment. The debate comes at a critical time in our collective deliberations on the future of domestic water charges and how we fund domestic water services into the future....

Topical Issue Debate: Rent Controls (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy knows me pretty well by now. I can be accused of much, but I do not wash my hands of problems. I have responsibility for the housing market, people who are homeless and implementing an ambitious housing and homelessness strategy for the Government. A piece of the jigsaw that is not fully filled in yet is a rental strategy, which we have committed to having in place before the...

Topical Issue Debate: Rent Controls (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she knows, there are acute pressures in the rental market. These pressures are being driven by a number of factors, including rising demand, a lack of supply and the high costs that some indebted landlords face in servicing their loans. These stresses are confirmed by the latest data from the Daft.ierental report. The report shows that rent...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: That is not much.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 111, inclusive, together. In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 WindEnergy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed: - the setting of a more stringent day- and night-time noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is set out in the following table. The reply to Question No 611 of 16 September 2016 reflects the position at 31 December 2015, but as the numbers in the engine capacity fleet are decreasing month on month, an additional column with the numbers taxed as at 30 September 2016 is also included. Engine Capacity No. of vehicles at 31 December 2015 No. of vehicles at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is set out in the following table. The reply to Question No 611 of 16 September 2016 reflects the position at 31 December 2015, but as the numbers in the CO2fleet are increasing month on month, an additional column with the numbers taxed as at 30 September 2016 is also included. Band CO2 emissions No. of vehicles at 31 December 2015 No. of vehicles at 30...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (9 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I understand that Tipperary County Council is seeking to purchase a site for the purposes of developing a new town park and related facilities at Newport. The estimated cost of the overall development is €650,000, which includes site acquisition costs. My Department approved funding of €325,000 in August 2016, on a matching funds basis, with the balance to be provided by...