Results 21-40 of 4,323 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

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...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will now address amendments Nos. 954 to 956, inclusive, which have been jointly tabled by Deputies Cian O'Callaghan, Ó Broin, Gould, Ó Snodaigh, Boyd Barrett, Bríd Smith and Gino Kenny. These amendments seek to remove sections 250 to 274, inclusive, covering all the proposed process, parameter and cost reforms relating to planning judicial review and proposing instead to...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: If I miss some of the questions, the Deputies might remind me of them. Regarding Deputy Ó Broin’s question about fewer judicial reviews, that is not anticipated, nor does the Bill try to have fewer judicial reviews. There would be quicker processing of reviews and certainty about costs. It is not the intention to try to stop people from taking JRs. This is about speeding up...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I cannot respond on that matter, as I was not aware of it. These recommendations came from PLS and engagement with this committee.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The point I am making is that this will speed up-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: We understand that the Attorney General's office has looked at this. We will get clarification on that specific-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Okay. Will I come back in on the other points?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The concern is not about less judicial reviews. As Deputy Ó Broin said, residential development JRs have gone down since the SHD issue was resolved, but this is around better alignment of plans and decision-making and the removal of the leave stage, which will save time. In fact, it will save weeks. Again, I do not have specific data-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes. The removal of the leave stage-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes. To go back to the point about the advisory forum, it is our understanding there has been substantial engagement with that forum on the review. That might be disputed, but it is our understanding that there has been engagement. Are there any other points I missed?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The point is we cannot dictate what the courts will do in terms of timelines. Certainly, the planning court will speed up the process. The entire Bill is about better alignment and it is ensuring that. I cannot put a figure on it in respect of the number of weeks, but it is about better alignment in our planning system and speeding up those processes in the planning court.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: It will.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: As I said, what the Bill is setting out to achieve throughout-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will just get a-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I argue that it will.