Results 1,861-1,880 of 4,718 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (15 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly with the Senator. I was instrumental in bringing the town centre first policy into the programme for Government. Critically, as I look across the country and travel, I see many fantastic premises such as 19th and early 20th century buildings that could be brought back into productive use. This is why the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage introduced...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I have.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Staff (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is an executive agency within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for, inter alia, the management of our National Parks. The NPWS does not employ staff as qualified arborists and does not have such a grade or title of position. While there may be staff who have such qualifications it is not an essential...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer to the reply to Dáil Question No. 692 on 7 November which sets out the position in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I understand NPWS staff met on site with the individual last month in relation to the proposed activity, and that an application for an Activity Requiring Consentis now being processed. This is required because the proposed activity occurs within a Special Area of Conservation. The NPWS team will contact the applicant again directly and provide them with an update on progress.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The general scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill was published in December 2022. Following the scrutiny of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, my Department has been working in close collaboration with parliamentary drafters over the past several months to develop the Bill and I anticipate that it will be ready for publication early in 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fisheries Protection (14 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Sea fishing boat licensing and registration is a function of the Sea Fisheries Administration Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Questions in relation to the permitting or licensing of such vessels and their fishing activities are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income defined and assessed according to a standard household means policy. The baseline income eligibility thresholds were increased for all local authorities, with effect from 1 January 2023, by €5,000 to €40,000,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: There are probably cases like that all over the country. Prior to 2011, there were no income limits and there was inconsistency across local authorities. Some disregarded while some included all incomes. That is why the household means policy was introduced. It sets out the manner by which local authorities should assess the means of an applicant for social housing support for the purpose...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: To refer back to the local authority's responsibility and role in supporting that family, the Deputy's local authority was under band 3. The income eligibility was increased to €30,000. The increase in the three bands was welcome and had been sought for some time. We supported it in government. On the particular case the Deputy referenced, it is unfortunate that the applicant had...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Septic Tanks (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for asking this question on behalf of Deputy Ó Cathasaigh who has raised this issue consistently at every opportunity. On 3 November 2023, the Minister announced changes to the three grants for domestic wastewater treatment systems, commonly known as septic tanks. The changes include increasing the grant amount available from €5,000 to a maximum of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Septic Tanks (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I wholeheartedly agree about a public awareness campaign. Perhaps a lack of public awareness has led to the previous low uptake. A circular will be sent by the Department next week and a question and answer section on the schemes will be available on the Department's website. The Deputy is correct. We will lead off on a new cycle of the river basin management plan early next year,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Septic Tanks (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy made a valid point about urban areas that have grown into rural areas where there are one-off houses that now need to be connected. It is a priority for Uisce Éireann. The Minister will announce a new scheme next week for villages to upgrade systems. That is vital. We often hear from Deputies in the House about areas, particularly rural areas, where there are challenges...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I refute the claim that the Government is taking a hands-off approach. Quite the opposite is the case. We are taking a very much hands-on approach. A vacant homes unit has been set up within the Department and the schemes I outlined are delivering the reuse and the repurposing of a lot of housing stock across the country. To clarify the position, we received a submission from Dublin City...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Central government is being incredibly proactive in supporting local authorities. Regarding the additional funding I spoke about, this will be granted on the basis of work done. If additional funding is required by local authorities for work completed, the funding will be in place for them to see the work through.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: That is critically important. The register on vacancy and dereliction is down to the local authorities. It is important they continue to maintain that register and there is consistency across all 31 local authorities. The CPO programme is working quite well. I know from experience in the two local authorities in my constituency that both have been very proactive on the CPO programme....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Derelict Sites (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Tackling vacancy is a key priority for this Government and the vacant homes action plan contains a suite of measures which actively address vacancy. We see huge potential in existing housing and building stock in our villages, towns and cities to meet the objectives of Housing for All. To give some examples, full-time vacant housing officers are now in place across all local authorities. A...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme was published on the 24th January 2022. From Quarter 1 of 2022 to the end of Quarter 3 of 2023, a total of 576 Mortgage to Rent applications have been completed. A further 521 applications are currently being actively progressed. Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, using Exchequer funding, is delivering improvements to water services, including waste water, in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann water services are not available. The aim of the multi-annual programme is, through various funding measures, to provide robust and resilient water services, that are value for money and are...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Development (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department and the Department of Transport (DoT) jointly established a working group in December 2021 under ‘Housing for All’ to consider opportunities for Transport Orientated Development (TOD) in major urban centres. The group comprises membership from my Department, DoT, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Land Development Agency (LDA). Transport Orientated...