Results 1,881-1,900 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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...

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

Malcolm Noonan: The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses is primarily a built heritage scheme, intended to support the conservation of an important and historically neglected part of our traditional building stock. I am pleased to note that it may also make a contribution to our broader efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction. Owners of traditional farmhouses often...

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

Malcolm Noonan: I recently announced my Department’s agreement to purchase the Dowth Hall Demesne in Co. Meath. This 552 acre site contains valuable elements of natural, archaeological and architectural heritage and will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department as a new National Park to ensure the preservation of these features for the people of Ireland. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (9 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of a suite of National and EU legislation in relation to invasive alien species in Ireland. Funding was provided by NPWS in 2012 for a scheme administered by the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) for a bounty on mink as part of a wider effort to protect ground nesting...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Agriculture Schemes (8 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 together. The National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme was first launched in 2006 to support landowners to:deliver actions that benefit habitats and species in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, known collectively as Natura 2000 sites,to support farmland biodiversity more...

Seanad: Housing For All: Statements (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators for their contributions. I was listening in my office to some of the contributions when the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, was here. I will respond to some of the points raise before I give my closing statement. Regarding the point made by Senator Moynihan about the Land Development Agency, I disagree with her. She states that it is not setting up and that is not the case....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Malcolm Byrne, Fitzpatrick and McGreehan for their work in bringing forward this Bill. I might reflect back on some of the contributions before I go to the scripted reply, if that is okay. A number of comments were made by Senators Craughwell and Boyhan about their involvement in activism from a very early age. Certainly, my own path into activism began at a very young age...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes a commitment to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver the flagship cross-border Ulster Canal project. My Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland co-operate effectively and communicate regularly to progress the various work programmes involved in the project, with the aim of providing a safe...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Barrow Blueway Project is a significant initiative which will support communities and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives. Kildare County Council is the Project Manager for the Barrow Blueway Project and is responsible for the overall project delivery. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to regulate and monitor the international trade in certain species of animals and plants, and to ensure that trade does not threaten their survival in the wild. Ireland became a CITES Party in 2002 with the NPWS of my Department being the CITES Management Authority in Ireland. The CITES...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas (7 Nov 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Habitats and Birds Directives, transposed in Ireland via the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011, require Ireland to identify a network of Natura 2000 sites (European sites) where important or endangered species and habitats are present to a degree that is significant at a European level. The selection of these European sites is done on a scientific and ornithological basis,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: On the issue of maintenance, which I think Deputy McGrath raised as well, it is important that consent processes have to be gone through. As regards the broader issue of the increased number of rainfall events we are having at the moment, we need to look and are looking at this through the land use plan, which is critical. There are some good agriculture schemes in place, such as the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Weather Events (24 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Absolutely. I thank the Senator for bringing this Commencement matter forward after a devastating few days in the southern part of the country and in many other parts of the country too. The increasing ferocity and frequency of these weather events is something that is catching us all. Unfortunately, it seems as though our future seems to have arrived. It is critically important to thank...