Results 1-20 of 91 for likes to work speaker:John Cummins

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Legislative and Structural Reforms to Accelerate Housing Delivery: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2025)

John Cummins: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises that: — Housing for All sets out an ambitious multi-annual programme that seeks to deliver more than 300,000 new homes by 2030; — record levels of investment are being provided for the delivery of housing in 2025, with overall capital funding now available...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (18 Jun 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. There is no question but that investment in our archaeological and built heritage delivers great benefits to the public through enhancing the character of an area. I acknowledge the representations the Deputy has made on this specific case. As indicated, Shannon Airport Group operated Sharon Heritage on a commercial basis in line with its...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tobacco Control Measures (18 Jun 2025)

John Cummins: I too welcome the students to the House. I hope they have an enjoyable day in Leinster House. I thank Senator Duffy for raising this very important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health. Nobody can deny we have seen an increase in vaping in recent years, particularly among young people. Work is already under way to tackle it. The Senator specifically raised the...

Emergency Action on Housing and Homelessness: Motion [Private Members] (17 Jun 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputies very much. I echo many of the comments made by the Minister, Deputy Browne, and take this opportunity to reassert the Government's commitment and determination to tackling the challenges we all know exist in the housing sector. The Minister and I are very much aware of the difficulties being experienced by some people in accessing secure and affordable accommodation....

Seanad: Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

John Cummins: I am grateful for the opportunity to take on behalf of the Government Second Stage of the Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill, which has been tabled by Senator Malcolm Noonan. This is an area I am exceptionally passionate about. I have done extensive work on the issue of vacancy and dereliction in my county of Waterford, and I have seen many of the measures implemented by the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Derelict Sites (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: As the Deputy knows, enforcement of the levy is a matter for local authorities. I see the carrot-and-stick approach having worked to pretty good effect in some local authorities. What I am talking about is the carrot of the likes of the repair and lease scheme, which has worked exceptionally well in my county of Waterford. About 50% of the national total of repair lease units have been...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Planning Issues (15 May 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy. I hear the point he is raising. There is a statutory process in terms of varying county development plans. It is a reserved function of members. We will be issuing clear direction on a local authority-by-local authority basis in terms of the expectations and quantum of zoned land that will be required. There will be headroom. We are working on finalising the...

Seanad: National Biodiversity Week: Statements (14 May 2025)

John Cummins: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad to mark the launch of National Biodiversity Week 2025 and to speak on an issue that is vital to all of us and our future, namely, the preservation of our biodiversity. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, would have liked to have been here but sends his apologies. Unfortunately, he had a bereavement in his family and I am sure all here...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Derelict Sites (30 Apr 2025)

John Cummins: I thank the Deputy for raising this. It gives me the opportunity to address Members on this important issue. Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority of mine and this Government. To address this, a number of structures have been established, including a dedicated vacant homes unit in my Department, a full-time vacant homes officer in each...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (27 Feb 2025)

John Cummins: I would like to thank Senator McCarthy for raising this important issue. If anyone understands this issue it is him, given his work with Tiglin and dealing first-hand with people who find themselves in difficult circumstances. I commend him on his work in that regard. Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority, I can assure Senators of that....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (27 Feb 2025)

John Cummins: Homelessness is a complex matter, as the Senator knows. A whole-of-government approach is required. That is the approach of the Government and we will continue in that vein. It is important to say that €303 million has been allocated to homeless services for 2025. An additional €25 million in capital funding for the delivery of high-quality transitional emergency...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

John Cummins: I thank the witnesses. I have an open mind as to which is better as well - possibly an extension to the end of September. That would allow us as a committee to meet to discuss this and give sufficient feedback. That would be appropriate, but that is a discussion for another day. The area I want to focus on is the population targets, specifically as regards Waterford. This has been a...

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (27 Jun 2024)

John Cummins: I commend Senator Boyhan on being able to speak for longer than 15 minutes. I will be sharing time with Senator Seery Kearney. As has been mentioned, this is a colossal Bill. It is 747 pages, has 22 Parts, six Schedules and 590 sections. It is the biggest overhaul of our planning legislation in a quarter of a century. Why are we doing it? We are doing it to bring clarity, consistency...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

John Cummins: The reason I focused so much on the stakeholder forum in the first round was the very one just outlined, because it is a case of all parties working together, including the agriculture community, those who enjoy the outdoors and country pursuits, and environmental NGOs. All have a role to play in protecting and enhancing our environment. I love the outdoors, was involved in the scouts when...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2024)

John Cummins: I turn to funding for roads, which is a topic we are all familiar with. I seek a debate with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on this issue across the suite of areas from national projects to local projects. I have become aware of an issue with TII where funding was allocated by the Government and the Minister for specific programmes of works in the 2024 allocation. However, when a local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Current Progress and Future Projections of Uisce Éireann Objectives: Uisce Éireann (18 Jun 2024)

John Cummins: There is a case, which I have raised with Uisce Éireann, at Cruachán in Dungarvan. It was an old McInerney Homes estate. McInerney Homes went into receivership. There has been subsequent development on the site and 60 of the units were originally taken in charge. Essentially, two developers are at play there at the moment, there is the local authority and there is Uisce...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing for All: Discussion (13 Jun 2024)

John Cummins: ...seen the biggest development under that, which was built in Waterford. It has 71 units for older persons in Manor Hill. The Minister was there for the opening of it. It is far better for people to be in a long-term, leased property for 25 years than it is for them to be in a HAP property or in a hotel room, and anyone who argues the opposite needs to get their head checked. I will...

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

John Cummins: I thank the Acting Chairperson. I welcome the Minister of State. Listening to the Sinn Féin representatives deliver their prepared speeches, one could forgive them for leaving out the fact that many of the things which are undoubtedly working and which were put in place by the Government have been shamelessly opposed by their party. Last year, 32,700 homes were delivered in this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (21 May 2024)

John Cummins: As a former teacher, I am sure the teacher is probably not best pleased with that. The students are probably happy. I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. Like the Minister of State, I am extremely passionate about the need for a new purpose-built multidisciplinary early intervention and respite care centre for children with complex additional needs on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Building Regulations (Fire Safety): Discussion (21 May 2024)

John Cummins: I assume the witnesses would dismiss the assertion that a pragmatic approach may be taken by one inspector and not by another. The problem with something not being black and white, notwithstanding the document asking for a pragmatic approach to be taken on an older building, is one fire inspector could be of a view to work with people to do this, but another fire inspector could say, "No, we...