Results 18,301-18,320 of 21,042 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Other Questions: Radon Gas Levels (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter which, to be honest, is concerning. As I outlined, a programme of work is under way. I have asked my officials to assess the matter and, through the analysis being carried out, ascertain whether a higher level of concern is warranted than when the process started. That would mean that we might need quicker intervention measures. I will return to...

Other Questions: Radon Gas Levels (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy has raised a good question. The work of the EPA is ongoing. The public awareness campaign has been moderately successful. On the map to which I referred certain areas have been identified as having higher than normal levels or spikes. That is where the EPA has concentrated its campaign. Having said that, there is a necessity to intensify the campaign to create an organic...

Other Questions: Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. She has spoken about it previously and I accept that it is a source of concern. Within the constraints of the prevailing budgetary situation I have been particularly mindful of the need to prioritise funding for the local and community development programme, until March 2015, and its successor, the social inclusion and community activation...

Other Questions: Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I have already confirmed to the House that I am prepared to meet them. There is no issue in that regard; it is a question of agreeing a time. That is my commitment. The process must be gone through. It has begun and it is necessary to undertake it as part of the tendering process. It needs to be executed. I am determined to ensure a fair solution to the issues involved which have been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The implementation group to which Deputy Cowen referred is chaired by Ms Bairbre Nic Aongusa, who is sitting to my left, and it meets on a monthly basis to oversee the implementation of some 80 actions. As part of that, Ms Nic Aongusa meets representatives of Dublin City Council to discuss the range of social housing actions which must be executed and also the issue of homelessness. The...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his consistency, if nothing else. I have said this before and I will say it again: I do not envisage any person being evicted due to water charges and Irish Water.

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I am in charge of local authorities and when people are evicted it is usually for anti-social behaviour, although evictions are rare. Sometimes neighbours cannot live with the anti-social behaviour of others and evictions ensue, but I do not envisage evictions connected to water charges. The way for people to deal with problems with water charges is through a payment plan, and various...

Other Questions: Radon Gas Levels (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for her important question. The national radon control strategy, which was published on 17 February 2014, was developed by an inter-agency group and sets out some 48 recommendations under six thematic areas. The ultimate aim is to reduce the number of radon-related lung cancer cases. While it is envisaged that the recommendations set out in the strategy will be addressed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: For the record, I was not involved in any of that. I believe the Bills Office issued the Bill before it was signed off on by the Cabinet. It was re-issued. I was not even aware of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: Yes, although I suppose I should not be discussing what happens at Cabinet. The Bill was published.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Future Plans: Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: In fairness, a human error was made in the Bills Office.

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The legislation on this will be before the Houses this week and also early in the new year. Deputy Paul Murphy will obviously have his chance to debate all of this in some detail. If people enter into a reasonable payment plan, they will avoid all of the issues in question. I do not envisage anyone being thrown out of a local authority house in any way. I am in charge of local...

Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: After this issue was first brought to my attention by Councillor Martin Farren, a further investigation took place. It is not about pyrite but mica, which is unique territory. We need to see the analysis and where we can go. My Department will be helpful and progress the matter to obtain some satisfaction for the people who should never have been put in this place by shabby and disgraceful...

Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The point is well made. A number of people of all political persuasions have contacted me about the issue. There is good will in the Department. Yesterday there was a meeting, but I have not yet had a chance to go through the information provided. My officials will brief me on the issue and we will offer to help, but we must first have the analysis to see what is the current position, the...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: Since 1 January Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The occupier of a property is liable to pay the water charges bill and legislation provides that the owner is the occupier unless the contrary is proved. Irish Water is providing landlords with the opportunity to prove that they...

Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which I have to admit was first raised with me by Councillor Martin Farren, and subsequently by a number of people. While I fully appreciate and acknowledge the difficult and distressing situations that householders have to deal with when faced with the consequences of the use of defective materials or poor workmanship in homes, building defects...

Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: The meeting took place yesterday but-----

Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: -----I have no issue with meeting anyone.

Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I was not available yesterday. I had a few more things going on but I have no issue with meeting them.

Other Questions: Housing Assistance Payments Administration (2 Dec 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy. As the Minister with responsibility, I am monitoring the areas where HAP is being rolled out and I am satisfied that it is working well. The feedback from local authorities is very good. I am glad the Deputy welcomed the fact that allowing people to work while having their housing needs met is a move in the right direction. We are clearly seeing that people are...