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Records
Question· writtenPQ 39asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding he has made available for the provision of alarms, pendants and other security devices for the elderly in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44163/15]
Question· writtenPQ 38asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
38. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of his engagements with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on his stated objective to update wind energy guidelines; if industrial wind farms are appropriate for residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44051/15]
Question· writtenPQ 37asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
37. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that the significant numbers of tyres collected by the local authorities in Dublin in the weeks before Hallowe'en 2015 have not been properly disposed of; and if current plans for the tyre industry will address this issue. [44116/15]
Question· writtenPQ 36asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
36. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the plan for the provision of social housing is the most effective option available in tackling the worsening housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44126/15]
Question· writtenPQ 35asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
35. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the investigation panel to examine the mica issue will be set up and functioning, its terms of reference, when it will report its findings, the process for those home owners affected by mica to notify the investigation panel with details of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44135/15]
Question· writtenPQ 34asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
34. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his role in providing a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level, if he will provide a directive for modular homes to be built at sites not already earmarked for building of bricks and mortar homes, if he has issued any directive for public private partnerships to produce urgently needed social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44046/15]
Question· writtenPQ 33asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
33. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the contact he has had with HomeBond in the past two months regarding the structural issues which emerged in the course of pyrite remediation, if he is satisfied that home owner's rights are adequately vindicated under the current arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44048/15]
Question· writtenPQ 32asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
32. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the target of 1,400 new-builds or acquisitions by local authorities and approved housing bodies will be met by the end of 2015, given that only 403 new units were provided in the first six months of 2015, the details of the new units and where they will be provided. [44128/15]
Question· writtenPQ 31asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
31. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is concerned regarding our planning laws as they relate to the timescales to decide on planning applications for major companies backed by the Industrial Development Agency Ireland and Enterprise Ireland; if we compare favourably with our European competitors in adjudicating on planning applications, if he has been approached by the agency or Enterprise Ireland in regard to speeding up decision times, lest we lose possible investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44124/15]
Question· writtenPQ 30asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
30. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions he has had regarding the manner in which the pyrite remediation scheme has been constructed and the condition that acceptance into the scheme is based on the presence of damage rather than the presence of pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44047/15]
Question· writtenPQ 29asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government considering the housing and homelessness crisis, if he will consider, as an alternative to temporary modular homes, purchasing an equivalent number of permanent homes, hundreds of which are currently advertised for sale at equivalent prices to the cost of modular homes, and which would move quickly and more permanently provide homes for those with housing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44129/15]
Question· writtenPQ 28asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
28. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of revenues from commercial rates to local authorities as a result of the global revaluations undertaken by the Valuation Office; and how this will affect local authority budgets in 2016 and 2017. [44121/15]
Question· writtenPQ 27asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
27. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to place a moratorium on wind farms until effective regulations are put in place. [44055/15]
Question· writtenPQ 26asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
26. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has engaged with Bord na Móna on the decrease in tonnage allowable from 1 December 2015 at the Drehid landfill site from 360,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes; if Bord na Móna has discussed with his Department when this excess tonnage will now be deposited; his views on increasing the levy for community gain to be applied by planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44113/15]
Question· writtenPQ 25asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
25. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the new Leader programme, when it will be delivered in communities, the status of its delivery in County Galway, if its commencement in County Galway will be delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44110/15]
Question· writtenPQ 24asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
24. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the necessary funding for the continued remediation of the Kerdiffstown landfill site will be ring-fenced in future budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44114/15]
Question· writtenPQ 23asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
23. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Government will bridge the financial gap caused by the net reduction in global valuation of commercial rates on utility companies. [44053/15]
Question· writtenPQ 22asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
22. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the aftermath of his welcome investment in the public housing programme, if that programme can be accelerated to provide substantially more housing accommodation in the short to medium term, if he will put a sequence of steps in place, in conjunction with the local authorities, to access off-balance sheet recorded funding in each local authority area where major housing waiting lists currently exist, if he will put a strategic plan in place to drive the programme to a much greater extent than has been possible heretofore, by raising the house completion targets substantially on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44099/15]
Question· writtenPQ 21asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
21. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for replenishing actual housing stock, given the announcement of the new tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44130/15]
Question· writtenPQ 20asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
20. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why he places a limit of €30,000 when considering applications for the funding of vacant housing units owned by local authorities and long-term voids, given that there is such a large number of vacant social housing units in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44123/15]
Question· writtenPQ 19asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
19. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the spend incurred under the Leader programme 2007 to 2013; the original allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44164/15]
Question· writtenPQ 17asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
17. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 170 and 171 of 2 December 2015, if procedures exist for accidental or unscheduled meetings that may take place between Ministers or senior officials and bidders for State contracts under the Minister's remit, and if such policies contain an obligation to take note of the topics discussed at such meetings. [44111/15]
Question· writtenPQ 16asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
16. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the wind farm development guidelines on setback distances will be published, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44049/15]
Question· writtenPQ 15asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
15. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions and negotiations he has had with the National Asset Management Agency on increasing its provision of social housing units, if the agency is doing all within its authority and mandate to increase the supply of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44119/15]
Question· writtenPQ 14asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Number 731 of 6 October 2015, the status of the 1,400 homes to be transferred from the National Asset Management Agency to local authorities; if the full 2,501 homes have been purchased and at what prices, or leased; what is the monthly payment for these leasing arrangements for each home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44131/15]
Question· writtenPQ 13asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
13. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of residential units made available to local authorities in 2015, the number of these made available to citizens and families in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44045/15]
Question· writtenPQ 12asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
12. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the detail of the proposed charter for rural Ireland, when it will be published, how it is being devised, the consultation process that was carried out, how it is expected that County Donegal will benefit from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44050/15]
Question· writtenPQ 11asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
11. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government given that capital-funded social housing provision targets, including new-builds and units provided under the rental accommodation scheme and long-term leasing are well-below the level targeted for 2015, if he will revise his targets for capital funded social housing provision for the 2015 to 2017 period downwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44120/15]
Question· oralPQ 10asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to lift the restriction in the rental accommodation scheme which requires applicants to be in receipt of rent allowance to allow those in low-paid work to access the scheme, as the housing assistance payment has not been rolled out across all local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44132/15]
Question· oralPQ 9asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
9. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the investigation panel to examine the mica issue will be set up and functioning, its terms of reference and when it will report its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44136/15]
Question· oralPQ 8asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
8. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the new deposit retention scheme will come into operation after the residential tenancies Bill has been enacted; if this will be a custodial model fully operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board or if it will be an agency that outsources some of the operation of the scheme; and what level of increase in staff, expertise and resources the board will require to manage this scheme and to undertake its enhanced adjudication role in disputes between landlords and tenants. [44122/15]
Question· oralPQ 7asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
7. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce specific measures targeted at increasing the capacity of local authorities to build social housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44125/15]
Question· oralPQ 6asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
6. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of his ongoing consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the National Rural Water Services Committee's recommendation for funding specific new group water schemes in previously CLÁR-funded areas, which under current funding rules are not viable for delivery because of funding shortfalls, when he will be in a position to implement the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44044/15]
Question· oralPQ 5asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of the current housing and homelessness emergency and in order to accelerate the delivery of permanent social housing, if he will consider the purchase of hundreds of permanent homes currently advertised for sale as an alternative to modular housing, the direct transfer of National Asset Management Agency property and cash reserves to the local authorities, and the direct employment by the State of building workers, architects, engineers and so on to build social housing and thus eliminate the lengthy delays involved in the outsourcing and tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44256/15]
Question· oralPQ 4asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
4. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will describe the discussions and negotiations he has had with the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, in respect of increasing its provision of social housing units; if he is satisfied the agency is doing all within its authority and legal mandate to increase the supply of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44313/15]
Question· oralPQ 2asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
2. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will alter the new tenant purchase scheme to include Part V housing to change the terms of the scheme regarding sale price and market value and to factor in the length of the tenancy. [44252/15]
Question· oralPQ 1asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 10 December 2015
1. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of submissions received under the Leader programme of 2014 to 2020 to date; the number of these that relate to local areas that are expected to have only one single strategy submitted for them; the number of Leader plans that have been evaluated and approved to date, the number of areas where it is expected that only one strategy will be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44254/15]
Bill· SS. 2399 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2015
Climate Protection and Justice Act of 2015 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to address greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the bill: states as U.S. policy greenhouse gas emission targets for 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050 that will result in reducing the emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050; establishes a fee for manufacturing, producing, or importing certain carbon polluting substances (coal, petroleum, and natural gas) that increases over time; establishes the Interagency Climate Council to evaluate whether the targets are being met; requires the Environmental Protection Agency to issue regulations to ensure the targets are met if the council finds the targets are not being met; requires those fees to be deposited in the Carbon Fee Rebate Fund established by this bill; establishes the Carbon Fee Rebate Program, which will distribute proceeds from the fees to eligible U.S. residents; establishes a Climate Justice Resiliency Grant Program to fund projects that mitigate climate impacts on communities that are unable to afford the management or mitigation of those impacts; expands the definition of solid waste under the Clean Air Act and applies air pollution emission limits to those wastes; and establishes a fee on carbon pollution-intensive goods imported into the United States, requires the fees to be deposited in the Carbon Equivalency Fee Fund established by this bill, and requires the fund to be used for certain purposes, including improving industrial energy efficiency. The bill provides funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, and the Rural Energy for America Program. The bill revises the Food Security Act of 1985 by providing incentives for farmers to use no-till cultivation practices and sustainable fertilizer application practices. The bill revises the Federal Power Act to enable access on the electric grid for demand response programs (programs that enable customers to reduce or shift their power use during peak demand periods).
Bill· HRH.R. 4215 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2015
CLEANER Act of 2015 or the Closing Loopholes and Ending Arbitrary and Needless Evasion of Regulations Act of 2015 This bill amends the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to eliminate the exemption for waste derived from the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal energy from regulations governing the disposal of hazardous waste. Within a year of this bill's enactment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must: determine whether waste associated with oil, gas, or geothermal energy activities meet the criteria promulgated for the identification or listing of hazardous waste; identify or list as hazardous waste any of those wastes if they meet the identification or listing criteria; and promulgate regulations regarding standards applicable to generators, transporters, and owners and operators of facilities for the treatment, storage, or disposal of those wastes. The EPA may modify the regulation of those standards to consider the special characteristics of those wastes so long as the modified regulations protect human health and the environment. Within a year of this bill's enactment, the EPA must promulgate revisions of certain criteria concerning landfills and waste management practices of open dumping for facilities that may receive wastes that are: (1) associated with those activities, and (2) not identified or listed as hazardous waste. Those revisions must: protect human health and the environment, while allowing consideration of the practicable capability of such facilities; and require groundwater monitoring as necessary to detect contamination; establish criteria for the acceptable location of new or existing facilities; and provide for corrective action and financial assurance as appropriate.
Bill· SS. 2398 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2015
Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act This bill prescribes eligibility requirements and procedures for the award of temporary adjustment assistance to a group of workers of adversely affected coal-related or coal-dependent or similar energy industries who are totally or partially separated, or threatened with total or partial separation, because of the low cost of competing alternative forms of energy. Such assistance shall include temporary additional unemployment compensation, health insurance premium subsidy tax credits, training and support for employment, as well as additional pension benefits. The bill establishes in the Treasury the Clean Energy Workers Trust Fund, appropriations to which shall include the increase in revenues resulting from certain revisions to the rules for taxation of inverted corporations (U.S. corporations that acquire foreign companies to reincorporate in a foreign jurisdiction with income tax rates lower than the U.S. rates). The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) is amended to revise such rules to treat as an inverted domestic corporation subject to U.S. taxation any foreign corporation that acquires the properties of a U.S. corporation or partnership after May 8, 2014, if, after the acquisition: (1) more than 50% (by vote or value) of the stock of the new entity (expanded affiliated group) is held by former shareholders or partners of the domestic corporation or partnership, or (2) the management or control of the expanded affiliated group occurs primarily within the United States and the group has significant domestic business activities. The bill creates a tax credit for hiring certified adversely affected energy industry workers. The Department of Labor shall provide full information to workers about the adjustment assistance available under this Act. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 is amended to transfer specified excess funds derived from coal mine operator-paid reclamation fees to the trustees of the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan for use solely to pay pension benefits required under such Plan. Workplace Democracy for a Clean Energy Future This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board to certify without an election an individual or labor organization as the exclusive representative of the employees in a unit appropriate for bargaining if a majority of the employees has signed valid authorizations designating the individual or labor organization specified in a properly filed petition as their bargaining representative and no other individual or labor organization is currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit. The Board shall develop guidelines and procedures for the designation by employees of a bargaining representative. The bill prescribes deadlines for critical turns in collective bargaining to establish an initial agreement upon the request of an individual or labor organization that has been newly organized or certified as a representative. The bill also creates a Community Need-Based Economic Transition Assistance Program, coordinated by the Department of Commerce, for counties or Indian tribes in which at least 35 certified adversely affected workers reside. The Appalachian Regional Commission shall award grants to such counties to support economic development planning and implementation activities in them. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement shall award grants to eligible counties for reclamation of abandoned coal mine land sites and associated polluted waters. The Environmental Protection Agency shall: (1) award eligible counties capitalization grants to establish a drinking water treatment revolving loan fund; and (2) provide those counties long-term, low-interest loans for large water infrastructure projects not otherwise eligible for funding from a state revolving loan fund. The Department of Agriculture shall provide such counties loans and loan guarantees under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to expand access to, and the quality of, broadband service across the rural United States. Commerce shall award them grants under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The Department of Energy shall award these counties grants for electricity delivery and energy reliability activities to modernize the electric grid.
Question· writtenPQ 202asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
202. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of reports of land hoarding taking place in the Dublin area in respect of land zoned for housing, if this is a factor in the depressed supply of housing, why he wrote to the chief executives of the four Dublin local authorities in June 2015, advising them not to rezone any further land for housing; and if he will review this advice. [44422/15]
Question· writtenPQ 201asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
201. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will given further consideration to a request (details supplied) from Ballybay and Clones Municipal District; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44420/15]
Question· writtenPQ 200asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
200. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to support rent supplement and housing assistance payment limits and introduce rent certainty as short-term housing measures, as advised by the National Economic and Social Council; to make better use and provide quicker turnaround of State properties and local authority voids that are empty; to enhance prevention and early intervention measures to support persons in their homes; to explore the efficacy of modular homes, ensuring that this does not become a long-term measure; to access affordable housing with support, as a solution to the housing and homeless crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44378/15]
Question· writtenPQ 199asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
199. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applications received from Donegal County Council for social housing units under the Social Housing Strategy 2020; the number of applications made with respect to long-term voids and to new builds; the cost which these applications collectively represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44365/15]
Question· writtenPQ 198asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
198. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the commencement date for rent certainty measures as outlined in recent legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44332/15]
Question· writtenPQ 197asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
197. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that more than 10% of the 20,000 houses being built by the National Asset Management Agency in the coming years are provided for social housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44327/15]
Question· writtenPQ 196asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
196. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the deadline for achieving mandatory European Union quality standards for wastewater treatment; the implications for the State if they are not achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44321/15]
Question· writtenPQ 195asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
195. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will request the National Asset Management Agency to undertake and organise a major programme of social housing in the Dublin north fringe and Fingal south fringe zones, given the failure of private developers to develop the north fringe as a high specification new urban region since the late 1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44302/15]
Question· writtenPQ 194asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
194. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will immediately designate the Dublin north fringe region and Fingal south as a strategic development zone to ensure the urgently needed new homes in Dublin Bay North and Dublin North are delivered by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44301/15]
Question· writtenPQ 193asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2015
193. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the proposals around building the sea wall in the Clontarf and Raheny area in Dublin; the objections from the local community; the response from Dublin City Council to these objections; if alternatives to a sea wall have been analysed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44291/15]