Results 141-160 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Protection of the Environment (Criminal Activity) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank all Deputies for their contributions, in particular Deputy Smith for raising the issue and bringing forward this Bill. The reason the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is not in a position to accept the Bill is not because he disagrees with Deputy Smith’s objective. The Minister has previously written to the European Commissioner for the...

Protection of the Environment (Criminal Activity) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank Deputy Smith for bringing forward this Bill and affording the House an opportunity to discuss these matters. At the outset, I want to acknowledge the Deputy's keen interest in this matter. I am aware that Deputy Smith, in bringing forward this Bill, is representing concerns expressed by many voices across a number of sectors and I acknowledge the genuine good intent with which...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (26 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department recently invited Expressions of Interest from a variety of organisations, agencies and groups who would wish to seek funding for the development, enhancement and maintenance of recreational Infrastructure projects should funding become available to the Department. This initiative has generated a considerable amount of interest and my Department is currently carrying out a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (26 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department recently invited Expressions of Interest from a variety of organisations, agencies and groups who would wish to seek funding for the development, enhancement and maintenance of recreational Infrastructure projects should funding become available to the Department. This initiative has generated a considerable amount of interest and my Department is currently carrying out a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (26 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier in 2014. Pobal was asked to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I welcome the opportunity to discuss Senator Wilson's Private Members' Bill. I acknowledge his work in bringing the Bill before the House and thank its seconder as well. The Bill proposes the alignment of the electoral roll for Seanad panel members' by-elections with the electoral roll for Seanad panel members' general elections. The proposal is certainly worthy of consideration and...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: A Chathaoirligh, may I make one point?

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank all Senators for their contributions. They were rational and calm, to use the words of Senator Bacik. The debate tonight was all about reform. We will not get any real reform in either this House or the Dáil until 50% of Members in both Houses are women.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: Yes.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme Funding (25 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 34 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I wish to advise the Senator that we have set up a working group on the rural water issues. All the stakeholders sit on that working group. We are looking at all the issues the Senator has mentioned, in particular the issue of multiannual funding that will be required to address the longer-term legacy issues.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move:That the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht approves the following Policy Directive (in draft) entitled:Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015 Chairman and members, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, I welcome the opportunity this afternoon to discuss the motion that the committee approve this draft policy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I will respond to the last issue first. The tenancy protection service only operates in Dublin and Cork but consideration is being given to extending that. It is being delivered by Threshold and the Department of Social Protection. I remind members that rent supplement can be topped up with the services of the community welfare officer to stall people who are under threat of homelessness,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: Families will be moved from modular housing to normal social housing within as short a timeframe as possible and there will be an on-site family placement service to deal with this. Building sustainable communities is a key aim in planning and development considerations. No one wants to see the development of ghettos, as referred to by Deputy Murphy. This is an emergency response to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: A local solution to a local problem is always the best approach.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: There is flexibility in the system. I do not want to see councils being tied down by rules and regulations because that takes away the flexibility they have. There are rules and criteria but ultimately human beings deal with other human beings. Council officials are aware of people's circumstances and if someone's circumstances are particularly difficult, I cannot say councils are so...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: The new affordable rental scheme announced in budget 2016 is aimed at working people. The issue is being worked on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: In 2016. We can send the Deputy some detail on that. I take on board his points. On NAMA properties, local authorities and the housing agency have engaged with NAMA. Some 65 units of Tallaght Cross apartments have already been equipped by South Dublin County Council. NAMA residential acquistions have happened and we have considered the hotels issue. The difficulty is in trying to get...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Policy (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: As the Deputy will be aware, I am fully committed to supporting the development of rural Ireland through advancing the implementation of the Commission on the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) Report recommendations, including working with Government Departments to maximise the financial resources already available for rural development and ensuring that these resources are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Cycling Facilities Provision (24 Nov 2015)

Ann Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 558 together. My Department recently invited expressions of interest from a variety of organisations, agencies and groups in respect of the funding of recreational infrastructure projects, should funding become available. This initiative has generated a considerable amount of interest and my Department is currently carrying out a detailed assessment of...