Results 1,961-1,980 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (4 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: In accordance with the Building Control Regulations 1997 to 2014, a n extension to a dwelling involving a floor area greater than 40 square metres and which does not constitute exempted development for planning purposes, require s statutory certification by a registered professional for building control purposes. The fee for the professional services is determined by market forces and...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Provision (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I accept the Deputy's point that Dublin City Council has nominated many tenants. The waiting list needs to be facilitated and these modern purpose-built units are ready for letting. The current impasse cannot continue and the Minister, Deputy Kelly, and I will be keeping a sharp focus on the ongoing meetings, one of which takes place tomorrow. At the meeting, I will urge that progress be...

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: While I acknowledge some local authorities reduced the local property tax, it does not come without a cost. As the Deputy knows, reducing it reduces the budget available for delivering front-line services such as services for the homeless that we wish to prioritise. It is a matter for local authorities to prioritise what they feel the local property tax should be spent on. I will say no...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Provision (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister, Deputy Kelly, and I share his concerns that this modern, purpose-built facility has not yet been fully tenanted. My officials are continuing to liaise closely with Dublin City Council to resolve the matter urgently as the current situation is not acceptable As the Deputy is aware, this facility was funded under my Department's...

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly. The Government decided to make local authorities liable for the local property tax in order that local authority tenants would be treated in the same way as tenants in the private sector in which landlords may pass on the cost of the tax to tenants in the form of increased rents, if...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: My Department has no record of a foreshore licence application for the works described. Kerry County Council have advised my Department that the Council have responsibility under the Arterial Drainage Acts for the maintenance of the local Akeragh drainage network incorporating the Kilmoyley and Ardfert land drainage networks. The mouth of the Akeragh is susceptible to blockage and the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Minister of State for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Paudie Coffey) The pyrite remediation scheme, which was published by the Pyrite Resolution Board in February of 2014, was developed having regard to the recommendations set out in the Report of the Pyrite Panel (July 2012) . The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 582 together. Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. Statutory instruments will be made setting a single commencement date for the introduction of the new scheme by all housing authorities and prescribing the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: My Department is continuing to engage with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office concerning matters in relation to the foreshore lease application concerned. There is a challenge by a Third Party to the State’s ownership of the foreshore and this challenge relates to an area of foreshore that forms part of the application. I will only be in a position to make a determination on the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Costs and Controls (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 581 together. In the third quarter of 2014, rents were 5.6% higher nationally than in the same quarter of 2013, according to the most recent rent index from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Rents for houses were 4.3% higher while apartment rents were 7.3% higher than in the same quarter of 2013. In Dublin, which is seeing the highest...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (3 Feb 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 and 2009 apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy. The definition of “dwelling” in section 4(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 excludes a structure that is not permanently attached to the ground and a vessel and a vehicle (whether mobile or not). In addition, section 3 of the Act provides that the Act does not apply to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (29 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020,published in November 2014, includes a commitment to introduce the new scheme by the second quarter of this year. The detailed terms of the scheme will be set down...

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Members for their contributions on this very important topic. I assure them that I share the passion that many of them have exhibited over the past two nights about the provision of adequate and affordable housing. My colleagues and I are determined to work to improve the position for everybody in need of housing, be it private or social. We must be honest and the current...

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: They will have one shortly.

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I acknowledge many of the concerns the Deputy has outlined. I reiterate that the planning authorities, which are local authorities, have responsibilities with regard to ensuring planning compliance within their respective planning areas. There are legacy issues with regard to unfinished estates, bonds and other matters. Some of them are the result of obvious economic reasons such as...

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: My Department is currently reviewing, in the context of the forthcoming planning and development (No. 2) Bill, the provisions in section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, relating to the taking in charge of housing estates with a view to improving and streamlining the taking in charge procedures. A particular focus of the review will be the time limits for the taking...

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Deputy is right to point out that there are many legacy issues. We are all witnessing those in our own constituencies. However, ultimately, the developer has responsibility and should not be left off the hook. The local authority has enforcement powers to ensure that a developer is pursued to ensure that full planning compliance and conditions are adhered to. The Deputy is aware that a...

Other Questions: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Deputy Clare Daly for raising this important issue. The pyrite remediation scheme is a targeted initiative to assist a restricted group of home owners who have no other practical options to access redress. It is a scheme of last resort to repair homes affected by significant damage. The pyrite remediation scheme involves a number of stages commencing with a validation process by...

Other Questions: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Five homes have been remediated.

Other Questions: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (28 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The figure is five.