Results 1,761-1,780 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (30 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The pyrite remediation scheme is first and foremost a works scheme aimed at remediating dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave in the subfloor hardcore material. Remediation works are carried out in accordance with I.S. 398-2:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material - Part 2: Methodology for remediation works, published by the National Standards...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Costs and Controls (30 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Fundamentally, the main cause of rising rents is a lack of supply in the market. The implementation of the range of actions under the Government’s Construction 2020Strategywill support increased housing supply. New house completions in 2014 amounted to 11,016 units nationally, up 33% on the 2013 figure. In the third quarter of 2014, planning permissions were granted for 2,144...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: We have one.

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the spring economic statement, which represents an important opportunity for Deputies on all sides to lay before the House their views on the economic status of the country and the citizens who live here. In order to have good fiscal management and balanced budgets, it is good practice to have a transparent debate ahead of the budget in the next few...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) has been established by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) as a register of builders and contractors. Participation in the register is voluntary at present. I understand that over 600 building and contracting entities are currently included on the register and that a further 900 are at various stages of the registration process. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Planning legislation places no specific restrictions on the height of trees, nor does it make any particular provision for remedy from any other nuisance which may be caused by trees in an urban residential area. However there is currently a civil remedy available concerning branches or roots of neighbouring treesencroaching on a person’s property. The previous Minister of State for...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Senator Brennan for raising this important matter. In view of what he has outlined, I can understand his frustration. In that context, I am happy to try to address this issue for him. The purpose of the planning system is to ensure development takes place in a planned, controlled and sustainable manner which protects the interests of the common good and the many qualities of our...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The enforcement notice has issued, despite the fact, as the Senator said, that there were long delays. The local authority has the power to enter the lands where enforcement is not being complied with to make sure the wall is taken down and a charge applied to the owners of the property. There is obvious concern and it is important to ensure public confidence in our planning system. I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Shared Ownership Scheme, first introduced in 1991 and amended in January 2003, was designed to facilitate access to home ownership to those who were unable to buy a home outright with a conventional mortgage. The Scheme offered an option to purchase up to half of a property with a standard annuity mortgage, with the balance to be rented from the local authority. The initiative worked...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: S.I. No. 9 of 2014 has strengthened the arrangements in place for the control of building activity by empowering competence and professionalism in design and construction and by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certificates of compliance for design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Impact Statements (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I understand that planning applications have been made to Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council in respect of this proposed project. These applications will be considered under the Planning and Development Acts and Regulations, including the requirements for environmental impact assessment and appropriate assessment, where necessary. The decision whether to grant permission is a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Statutory undertakers authorised to provide public utilities (e.g. electricity, gas, water) have powers under the relevant enabling legislation to obtain way-leaves to lay pipes and cables, and to attach such conditions as they see fit, to ensure appropriate access for the provider. Moreover, as provided for in section 34(13) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a person is not...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I acknowledge the distressing and stressful situations which individuals face when they find that the home in which they have invested may not be completed to the required acceptable standard. Local authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 1981, the Building Control Act 1990 and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which may be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Since 2006, my Department has completed reviews to a total of 10 Parts of the Building Regulations which resulted in the introduction of new regulatory requirements/technical guidance. Notwithstanding amendments to take into account revisions to relevant Irish, British and European standards, the principal changes to the Building Regulations since 2006 are set out below: - Part A –...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Rates (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I understand the Deputies' concerns in regard to this particular issue. I am the chairperson of my local GAA club, and as such, I do understand their concerns. As stated, the law has been changed to address their concerns going forward. The Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 contains provisions to alter the basis of valuations of certain sports clubs and child care providers into the...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Rates (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. I understand and appreciate the concerns they have expressed but I must clarify some aspects of the issue for them. As they are aware, local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner...

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: -----that the focus should go back to urban regeneration, maximising the use of existing public infrastructure and rebuilding the inner cities, towns and villages of our country?

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I urge all Deputies, local authorities and councillors to focus on bringing the vitality back to our towns, villages and cities.

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Planning is one of my areas of responsibility. The Deputy referred to the word "spinning". It has been clarified to the Deputy by the Secretary General of the Department that it was an inappropriate and ill-advised comment between officials in the Department of Finance and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Deputy's question is very relevant and...

Other Questions: Housing Data (23 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The reference from the e-mail mentioned by the Deputy has been acknowledged by the Secretary General, and he has apologised and stated that it was inappropriate. However, I again refer the Deputy to the facts presented by the Dublin housing supply and co-ordination task force and supported by the Housing Agency. We are emerging from a legacy of a devastated economy and construction sector,...