Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1199. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the remit and responsibilities of the Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45474/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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There are two Ministers of State currently serving in my Department, Damien English, TD and John Paul Phelan, TD.

Minister of State English has a range of responsibilities in the area of Planning, including implementation of regional planning guidelines and Regional Economic and Spatial Strategies as well as Local Authority Development Plans, Local Area Plans and the Department's input to urban, town and village renewal initiatives and policies. 

In the Housing area, Minister of State English has responsibilities in relation to the oversight of social housing delivery, coordination of the Government response to unfinished housing developments as well as policy development in the area of housing for older people and those with disabilities.  He also has responsibility in relation to the support and overview of the Housing Finance Agency, the legislative support for local authorities in relation to Traveller accommodation and statutory functions in the area of building controls including oversight of the Pyrite Resolution Board and EU Directives and Regulations in the area of building standards. 

Minister of State English also has responsibilities in relation to Marine and Foreshore issues, such as maritime spatial planning, the assessment of foreshore licences and leases, as well as certain responsibilities arising from Dumping at Sea legislation and the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. In addition to these roles, Minister of State English has responsibility for the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management. 

Minister of State Phelan has a range of responsibilities in the key areas of Local Government and Electoral Reform.  In relation to local government, he is responsible for policy including the ongoing process of local government reform, legislation and decisions relating to local authority boundaries and metropolitan governance, as well as ensuring an appropriately structured funding system for the local government sector.  Minister of State Phelan also has overall responsibility for the area of commercial rates policy and certain responsibilities in respect of the Harbours Act 2015. 

Under the heading of electoral reform, Minister of State Phelan has responsibility for the voter registration process; proposals for changes to voting rights including at Presidential elections; Seanad electoral reform; the development of an Electoral Commission Bill; reform of the EU law on European elections; as well as general oversight of other electoral reform matters.