Results 18,401-18,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tax Collection (14 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is a matter for local authorities, as individual corporate bodies, to ensure that they have adequately met their tax obligations in all cases and, if doubt arises, to seek appropriate clarification from the Revenue Commissioners. My Department does not direct or advise local authorities in relation to specific taxation matters. My Department issued a note for information following a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (14 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Arising from the Social Housing Strategy 2020, targets and provisional funding allocations have been notified to each local authority, including Galway City Council, and are available on my Department’s website at the following link: . Galway City Council has a target to deliver 518 social housing units for the period out to 2017, supported by an allocation of €28.3 million, to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tax Code (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The costs and benefits of equalising motor tax rates with the rates that apply in Northern Ireland have not been analysed in my Department. There are currently no proposals for any such alignment.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Funding (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The funding allocation of €56.25m in 2016 for the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme represents an increase of some 10% in funding provided in 2015 under this Scheme and comprises €45m Exchequer funding and €11.25m fromlocal authority resources. Accordingly, increasing funding under this grant scheme by 50% would cost an additional €22.5 m to the Exchequer, with a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Farm Waste Disposal (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The review of a waste collection permit is subject to a statutory process , as set out in section 34A of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, and the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended. It is open to a local authority to initiate the review of a waste collection permit at any time. The review may result in a permit being amended; the permit holder being...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department provides funding to communities through a range of programmes and schemes, including, for example, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. The question of whether the particular purpose for which funding is sought would qualify under SICAP would be a matter for the programme implementing body for the area concerned to consider in the first instance.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Legislative Programme (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information sought in the question is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department has received a request from Stafford Holdings Limited/Lisbron Limited to assign a lease dated 15 March 1978 between the Minister for Tourism and Transport and Ross Company Limited in respect of foreshore lands at Raheen, New Ross, Co. Kilkenny to New Ross Boat Yard Limited. The application is currently being assessed by my Department and a determination on this matter will be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Mortgage Data (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Home Choice Loan (HCL) is a mortgage for first time buyers that was introduced in 2009 and is provided by local authorities. The terms and conditions of this loan are set out in the specific regulations – the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009 – a copy of which is available at . The loan is available to first time buyers who can prove that they have been refused a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Drainage Schemes (9 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 87, inclusive, together. 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. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to or by...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Exporting is a loss of waste resources that could otherwise be used to generate employment, open up new markets for Irish products, and boost domestic economic activity. Government waste policy supports managing waste as a national resource, and the benefits of this approach, as part of the transition to a circular economy , are increasingly being recognised across Europe. If Ireland can...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for water services policy and legislation remains with my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: 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 of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters.  The levying and collection of rates are matters...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: In the period 2011 to 2014 inclusive, in excess of 26,000 social housing units were delivered under a range of programmes, by local authorities and approved housing bodies, with associated total funding of some €2.6bn being provided in that period, as set out in the following table. Year 2011 €m 2012 €m 2013 €m 2014 €m Total funding 755 ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme Funding (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: An initiative such as the one referred to in the Question may be eligible for funding under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Any local group looking for support for such an initiative should liaise directly with the Local Action Group for their area. My Department is in the final stages of finalising the selection of LEADER Local Action Groups and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Responsibilities (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach outlined his intention to establish a new Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht in his statement to Dáil Éireann on 6 May 2016. To facilitate the establishment of the new Department, a number of rural development functions, which are currently the responsibility of my Department, will transfer to the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Data (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Funding for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme has increased year on year, since it commenced in September 2014, in order to meet the continuing costs of existing HAP households, and the costs of additional households being supported. The majority of this funding is to support ongoing rent payments to landlords in respect of existing HAP households and the cost of additional HAP...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rental Accommodation Scheme Data (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Details of the Exchequer funding allocated by my Department under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) for 2014 , 2015 and 2016 are set out in the following table. Year Exchequer allocation (€M) Outturn (€M) 2014 140 133.5 2015 135 121.78 * 2016 135 19.58 (Q1 to end of March) *This is in addition to local authority self-funding of €14.85 million. The RAS...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Functions (8 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Restructuring of Government Departments is a matter for the Taoiseach and following on from the Taoiseach’s stated intention to restructure Departments of State to align with the priority objectives of the Government, responsibility for the environment, including climate change, will transfer from my Department to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. That...