Results 1,901-1,920 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Residential Tenancies Board (3 Mar 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector and the Act provides that landlords in the sector must apply to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to register the tenancy of a dwelling within one month of the commencement of the tenancy. The published register lists the addresses of all tenancies...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (3 Mar 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I refer to the reply given in the Topical Issues Debate on this matter on 25 February 2015 which sets out the up-to-date position.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (3 Mar 2015)

Paudie Coffey: My Department’s Circular Letter PD 1/08 on Taking in Charge of Residential Developments/ Management Arrangements which issued in February 2008 sets out the policy to be adopted by planning authorities in relation to the taking in charge of housing estates. Paragraph 3.4 of the Annex to the Circular refers to the early identification of the areas to be taken in charge and states that -...

Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (26 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. On 1 April 2011, the Social Housing Assessment Regulations introduced a new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing in every housing authority. The aim of the new system is to move closer to a transparent, consistent and fairer approach to eligibility for social housing. The regulations include maximum net...

Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (26 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I note the points the Deputy has made. I am satisfied that the current income limits generally provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. These limits generally provide that a household in receipt of social welfare will not breach the thresholds. That is illustrated by the fact that the Summary of Social...

Climate Change and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: It is getting a little wild over here.

Climate Change and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: They are polar opposites.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Derelict Sites (26 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: There is no specific definition of the term “derelict building” in the Derelict Sites Act 1990. However the term “derelict site” is defined in section 3 of the Act to mean - “any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (26 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I refer to the reply to Question No. 606 of 24 February 2015 . The position is unchanged.

Topical Issue Debate: Building Regulations (25 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Deputy is correct in pointing out that these regulations also apply to extensions. Many years ago, I built my own house in Waterford by direct build. I know the challenges that people face, but people generally set out to build the best quality home for themselves. Anecdotal evidence suggests that inspections cost between €5,000 and €16,000 which is unacceptable and I...

Topical Issue Debate: Building Regulations (25 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. It is an issue of concern to many Deputies around the country who have raised it consistently. Following public concern with regard to the widespread failure to comply with regulatory requirements in all sectors of the construction industry, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, otherwise known as Statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety (25 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: 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 relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in commercial buildings. Compliance with the statutory requirements that apply to a building, or works in relation to a building, is first and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Housing for People with Disabilities (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. He will understand that I cannot speak about specific cases, but I am disappointed to hear about the circumstances of the case he has highlighted because under the social housing investment programme, my Department allocates funding to support local authorities in undertaking adaptations and extensions to their social housing stock...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Housing for People with Disabilities (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I understand this is an important matter, particularly when dealing with somebody with a disability who needs access to State supports. The Government has protected the allocations for this grants scheme to ensure those with a disability will have access to grant aid through their local authorities. The implementation and delivery of the scheme are the responsibility of the housing...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address this issue on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe this afternoon. The matter was debated in the Dáil on 18 February during Topical Issues but I am happy to explain the current position regarding the N6 again this afternoon.As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I am happy to clarify what I have already stated and what the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe has relayed to me. The purpose of the recent second consultation is three-fold: first, to update the public on works carried out to date; second, to obtain input from the public on any significant constraints that have been identified and impacts they may have on the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: This is a major infrastructure project and I have just clarified for the Senator that the public consultation process is an opportunity for her and any other stakeholders, including members of the public, to make submissions and to make their views known. As I have already said, for the record, it offers the public an opportunity to propose further alternative options. That said, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Expenditure (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Funding of €10 million is being provided by my Department for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme in 2015 in light of anticipated activity under the scheme this year. Since the scheme was first published in February 2014, the Pyrite Resolution Board has received in the order of 630 completed applications. A total of 485 applications have been validated and forwarded to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Since the pyrite remediation scheme was first published in February 2014, the Pyrite Resolution Board has received in the order of 630 completed applications. A total of 485 applications have been validated and forwarded to the Housing Agency for the verification stage; of those over 300 have now been approved by the Board for inclusion in the scheme and the applicants have been notified....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (24 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Building Control Act 1990 places a statutory obligation on owners, designers and builders to design and construct buildings in compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. Following public concern with regard to the widespread failure to comply with regulatory requirements in all sectors of the construction industry, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I....