Results 17,201-17,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: To date 22 rapid-build housing units have been delivered in Poppintree, Ballymun. I am advised that works will commence on a number of sites very shortly and units will be handed over on a phased basis, to local authorities, over the coming months. I envisage that there will be more than 320 homes either complete or under construction on site by end-2016.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Library Services (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: The provision of public library services is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. This includes the procurement of books and other library related services. My Department has no direct role in these matters. I understand that the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is currently working with the Educational...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Library Services Provision (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 223 together. The provision of public library services is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. This includes determining the need for library branches or mobile libraries in their respective areas. My Department has no role in this matter. My Department is currently working with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Library Services Funding (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: Under section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001, the provision and management of library services is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority. Accordingly, expenditure on library services is a matter for each local authority. My Department has no direct role in these matters. However, information is compiled by the Department on annual budgets and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Severe Weather Events Response (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department is not involved in funding flood prevention works. Flood prevention and flood mitigation are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works which operates a Capital Programme and a Minor Works Scheme that provide funding for the construction of flood protection and flood prevention works. Following last winter’s flooding my Department made €18m additional...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government has published Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which is available at the website www.rebuildingireland.ie. The Plan sets out a practical and implementable set of actions that aim to increase the supply of homes to 25,000 units per annum by 2020, thereby creating a functioning and sustainable housing system. This cross-Government plan is divided...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Library Services Staff (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: In July 2016 new qualifications for library staff were declared that removed the obligation for candidates to be fluent in Irish, in order to be considered for library posts. In 2015 a working group was set up to revise the qualifications for professional and non-professional public library grades. The working group consisted of members of my Department, County Librarians (also members...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: State Bodies Data (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. 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: ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: Section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that a planning authority may, on application and in certain circumstances, extend once only the duration of an existing planning permission for a maximum period of 5 years, subject, at the authority’s discretion, to compliance with certain conditions. The Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is responsible for national policy on public procurement, including construction procurement, and details in this regard can be found on www.constructionprocurement.gov.ie. Issues in relation to the reform of public sector construction procurement, including issues relating to the national...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department appointed Senior Counsel on a non-statutory basis on 2 September 2015 to prepare a review report in relation to planning matters in Donegal. This follows the Order made by the High Court on 14 June 2013, quashing that part of my Department’s Planning Review Report (2012) relating to Donegal, arising from a settlement between my Department and the party concerned who had...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Data (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: The routine turnaround of vacant social housing stock is a matter for each local authority and is carried out under their on going maintenance programme. A programme of retrofitting was introduced in 2009 and ran until 2014. This programme included remedial works, energy efficiency measures and works on vacant social housing units. Under this programme improvements were carried out to over...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Assets (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy regarding lands owned by the Cork local authorities is not available to my Department and is a matter for the local authorities themselves. Notwithstanding the above, the active pursuit of progressing housing developments on State lands, including local authority lands in Cork, is a major part of the new approach to housing provision under the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in the reply to previous Parliamentary Questions ( Numbers 130, 135 and 136 of 29 September 2016 ), 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....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Animal Breeding Regulations (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: I refer to the reply to Question Number 640 of 16 September 2016 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Urban Renewal Schemes (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: Under the Limerick Hinterland Study, Tipperary County Council submitted a proposal to my Department with estimated costings for a new town park and related facilities at Newport. The overall estimated cost of the 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (11 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: Households, including individuals that meet the eligibility criteria and have a housing need, may apply to their local authority for social housing support. In assessing any application, the local authority will consider such factors as present accommodation, the condition of that accommodation, etc. Following assessment qualified households are placed on the housing waiting list. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Rates (6 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: A reduction in motor tax rates for commercial vehicles with an unladen weight in excess of 4,000 kgs was announced in Budget 2016. The changes applied to vehicle licences taken out with a commencement on or after 1 January 2016. Tax receipts for these vehicles for the period from January to September 2015 were €53.6m, including arrears. The comparable figure for January to September...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (6 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness recognises the important source of potential accommodation vacant private properties present. A new Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness this potential, and bring these vacant houses into social housing use as new...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Homeless Persons Data (6 Oct 2016)

Simon Coveney: Official homeless reports are published on my Department's website on a monthly basis and can be accessed using the following link:. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS). These reports capture details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen...