Results 1-20 of 4,379 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: On the NSAI review of IS 465, the ongoing work is autonomous. An interagency defective concrete block technical matters steering group was established to inform and guide the NSAI review of a number of relevant standards, including IS 465, and the impact, if any, on foundations and the effect, if any, on full cavity-fill insulation on homes susceptible to defective block work. This work has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: There is rigour and detailed scientific analysis attached to the process adopted by the NSAI. As I stated, the review mechanism was put in place within a year of the Act and the process is ongoing. There is also a process for a three-year review. Deputy Mac Lochlainn is correct that it is grant scheme but it is very much enhanced from the previous 2020 grant scheme, with a 100% grant,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: That is what it is. There is a revised application process that removes the financial barrier to scheme entry. All of these are in place. There is provision for alternative accommodation costs. A Government guarantee is provided with regard to remediation works, other than the full demolition and rebuild, through eligibility for a second grant, if required, for a period of up to 40 years....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Cuirim fáilte roimh na daltaí agus na múinteoirí ó Ghaelscoil Osraí, Contae Chill Chainnigh. I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 66 together. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 on 22 June 2023. It contains the enhanced grant...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not get into a response on specific projects. The local authorities are delivering affordable homes with funding approval in place to assist with the delivery of more than 4,135 purchase and cost-rental homes across 21 local authorities with support of more than €335 million from the affordable housing fund. Again, I will not get into specifics about-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: That is what the AHF is for.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Housing for All sets out a range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing out to 2030, comprising 54,000 affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, approved housing bodies, AHBs, the Land Development Agency, and through the first home scheme, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks. In 2023, more than 4,000 affordable housing supports...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Generally, when it comes to overall delivery, to the end of quarter 4 2023, more than 5,800 affordable housing solutions have been delivered through cost rental, the first home scheme, the local authority affordable purchase scheme, and the vacant property refurbishment grant. The first home scheme is assisting first-time buyers to purchase new homes. Recently-published quarter 1 2024...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: On the issues around the general delivery of affordable housing, the affordable housing fund now provides funding of up to €150,000 to support apartment delivery in urban areas. In July 2023, the Government approved additional supports for AHBs to deliver cost-rental homes by increasing funding to up to 55% of capital costs from the previous 45%. This funding comprises a mixture...

Seanad: Housing Commission Report: Motion (29 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I will address some of the points raised by Senators before my closing remarks. An overarching thing to say, which goes back to the point raised by Senators Warfield, Gavan and Boylan, about the notion that the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, dismissed the commission’s work, is that is certainly not the case. It is simply not the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Regulations (29 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I recently appointed Mr Teddy Cashman as Chair of the Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Stakeholder Forum. A series of bilateral meetings with relevant stakeholders has commenced and the first full Forum meeting of all relevant stakeholders will take place by the end of Q3 2024.

Local Authority Housing Maintenance and Repair: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: My mother, as a proud Kildare woman, would probably concur with the comments of Deputy Pringle too. I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions. I will respond to some of their comments before making my closing remarks. Quite a number of Deputies have raised the issue of apprentices and direct maintenance within local authorities. I raised this with officials during the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: I am not sure exactly what issue the Deputy is referring to. Certainly, he is correct regarding the role of the NPWS in the enforcement of the Wildlife Act, which is currently under review in my Department in respect of hedge cutting and other issues. If the Deputy provides the information to me, we can certainly investigate the matter for him.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Reflect and Renew - A review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), recommended that external communications by the NPWS should be professionalised and should prioritise a more open and collaborative engagement with civil society groups and others. NPWS is constantly working to improve all aspects of its communication including with external stakeholders. There are a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Culls (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: All deer hunting licences issued under Section 29 of the Wildlife Act, as amended, are issued to individuals and there is no plan to alter this process.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Sport and Recreational Development (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The licence referred to was issued to the applicant on 17 May last.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department prioritises the ongoing management and eradication of invasive species as part of its conservation role, dedicating a significant level of its resources to these management activities each year. Monitoring of invasive species at Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in County Wicklow continues throughout the year. The most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Managing invasive species is one of the important areas of work undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), with a significant amount of resources devoted to this task every year. Invasive species cause grave damage to the ecosystem and to conservation objectives, with species colonising the environment and having significant impacts on biodiversity. The NPWS tackles...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (28 May 2024)

Malcolm Noonan: Ireland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023-2030 was published in January 2024. Taking an ‘all-of-government, all-of-society’ approach, the NBAP aims to meet urgent conservation and restoration objectives across Ireland’s terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems and secure nature’s contributions to people, while enhancing the evidence base for...