Results 1-20 of 4,245 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Motion (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will try to touch on some of the points raised. I really appreciate the contributions of all the Deputies this afternoon. I agree with Deputy Connolly. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to debate the issue. For National Biodiversity Day perhaps the Business Committee could look at having a broader debate on these issues. In this term of the Dáil, it is encouraging that we...

Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Motion (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak today. I take this opportunity to formally welcome the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Change report on the examination of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. I express my thanks to members of the committee, who worked collaboratively and very diligently to produce the report in a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coastal Erosion (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The scoping report on national coastal change management was approved by Government on 26 October last year. The strategy set out in this scoping report involves an integrated whole-of-government approach, with actions across many sectors. My Department will play a key role in co-ordinating and driving this essential work programme. The OPW has been designated as the national lead...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medical Cards (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not be disingenuous and read the script in closing because the Deputy is well aware of the response. The issue he is raising is a much broader issue in terms of the reality of living on the islands in this day and age. It is a broader issue for Government and future governments to consider in respect of the economic, financial and other supports that can be put in place to ensure...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Coastal Erosion (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Deputy raises a matter that is of extreme concern to us all, and should be. She is correct that it is not only down to climate change or sea level rise that this is happening now, but this certainly is being exacerbated by it. In many parts of the world, retreat and abandonment are becoming part of climate adaptation strategy. It is something that is with us and something we have to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Regarding De La Salle College in Dundalk, my understanding is that, last October, five students were accepted into its ASD unit for the semester starting in September 2023. However, on 26 March of this year, the school called to state it could no longer offer a place to any of the students. The reason given to parents was that the Department of Education was not providing the promised...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medical Cards (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a cur. Eligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment, which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970. The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn per week and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputies for the questions and for giving me an opportunity to outline how the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education continue to support children with special educational needs. Enabling students with additional needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is an ongoing priority for the Government. It is a priority to ensure all...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for putting it so well regarding the challenges faced by a strong and growing community in Rush in north County Dublin and the challenges faced by the school. Seventeen years is a long time to wait for this school to be developed.Members of the board have had great patience and tenacity. The school is watching in on this Commencement matter today. For the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Since 2020 the Department of Education has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of more than 800 school building projects with construction currently under way at approximately 300 other projects including 34 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently under construction involve a total State investment of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Textbooks (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator will be aware that the Department of Education's 2023-25 statement of strategy sets out its vision for an education system that is of the highest quality where every member of our educational community, including our children and young people, their families and all the staff who engage with them, feel valued and supported. It sets out a goal to ensure equity of opportunity in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Textbooks (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The introduction of the junior cycle schoolbook scheme is another historic moment in Irish education and helps us to live up to the promise of free education. I want to thank the Senator for raising this Commencement matter and emphasise the significance of the funding for this ground-breaking scheme. I also want to acknowledge the enormous amount of work that has taken place since the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wildlife Protection (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The light-bellied Brent goose, Branta Bernicla Hrota, breeds in the Canadian high Arctic and winters, almost exclusively, on the island of Ireland. Under the European birds directive, the Brent goose is a protected species, and Ireland has designated a total of 23 special protection areas for the Brent goose, with one further SPA for which the species is listed as an additional special...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wildlife Protection (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I absolutely appreciate the challenge this has created. We are in the depths of a biodiversity crisis and it is important. Our urban areas and Dublin have a huge role to play around the species of wetland birds. We know that the Brent goose population has increased by 230% from 1994 and 1995 and from 2018 to 2019. It is quite a significant population increase, which suggests that it is a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There are specific questions here particularly in regard to that timeframe. That is a valid question to ask and certainly we can ask the Department to look at that. In regard to the second question, I cannot give the answer to it here, so again I will ask the Department to look at that, about challenging those decisions, if that is okay. Fingal County Council has been quite progressive....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will read the script and then come back with the specifics. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Under Housing for All, there is provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. However, with increased pressures on housing and the exit of landlords from the market, the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, reinstated delegated sanction to local authorities in April 2022 to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is a programme of the Heritage Council, which is responsible for decisions on funding and timeframes. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Environmental Policy (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It is my intention that an Ocean Environment Policy Statement will be included as part of the forthcoming Marine Protected Area Bill. The policy statement is intended to set out the policy objectives, priorities and targets of the Government in relation to protection and sustainable use of the marine environment including by designation of marine protected areas. The preparation of the...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not rehash the issue. I will address it briefly but amendment No. 895 was already discussed just before the break and we have moved on. Deputy Ó Broin referred to the planning system being blind to housing need. That is what the housing need demand assessment, HNDA, is about. It has been tested in many counties. The methodologies are also being adopted in other counties. It...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Amendment No. 897 from Deputy O’Callaghan seeks to delete lines 7 and 8 in page 404 and replace them with "the existing need and the likely future need, including houses, apartments and duplexes, for housing for purchase by intending owner-occupiers". However, I can confirm that the text as drafted includes all housing types, including apartments, so although not explicitly expressed,...