Results 15,381-15,400 of 21,489 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (14 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 805, 806 and 807 together. The oversight and management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant housing authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. My Department does not collate the detailed data sought on an ongoing basis. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation (14 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The requirements for the valid termination of a tenancy by a landlord are set out in Parts 4 and 5 of the Residential Tenancies Act as amended. In the case of a tenancy of 8 years or more in duration, the Act provides that a landlord is required to give a tenant 224 days notice of termination of the tenancy.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Data (14 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: A full breakdown of 2015 output, by local authority, across each of the social housing funding programmes, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: Data relating to quarter one 2016 is in the process of being gathered from all local authorities and will be published on my Department’s website when available.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Data (14 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The HAP scheme removes a barrier to employment, by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment, it improves regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and it provides certainty for landlords as regards their rental income. To be eligible for HAP, a person...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Data (14 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: General statistics on local authority housing stock, including the total number of dwellings in each local authority area, is available on the website of the National Oversight and Audit Commission at the following link: The most recent published information (December 2015), covering all local authorities, is in respect of 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Sector Funding (14 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: Funding to voluntary organisations for the purposes of acquiring new equipment may be available under the Dormant Accounts legislation whereby balances on dormant accounts with banks, building societies and An Post are paid into the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. The primary purpose of the legislation is to re-unite the original account...

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I will be quick as I can. I join the Taoiseach and other Deputies in congratulating those who organised the events surrounding the 1916 commemorations. The way in which it was conducted was absolutely incredible. I would particularly like to congratulate RTE on its role. It often gets a lot of criticism but it played a fantastic role. We should all also acknowledge the role of the...

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I have looked at some of the proposals being put forward, particularly regarding housing, and there is very little difference between them. Everything that has been proposed, as far as I can see, in some way has been proposed or copied and pasted from documents that have already been put out there. The position of the Dáil is that Fine Gael is the largest party, Fianna Fáil the...

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: No point scoring.

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: Wait for round two.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 733 and 743 together. As the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is deemed to be a social housing support under section 19 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, as amended, households in receipt of HAP are not included on the local authority waiting list for social housing support. However, HAP recipients may access other forms of social...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Eligibility (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is being introduced incrementally on a pilot basis to local authority areas. Since HAP commenced in September 2014, some 8,000 households have been supported by the scheme and HAP is now available to all qualified households in 19 local authority areas. HAP provides for the transfer of responsibility for long-term recipients of rent supplement...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Boundaries Review (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 786 together. The chairpersons of the committees which are reviewing the boundaries at Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford have indicated that further work is required in order to complete the reviews, including work arising from the large volume of submissions received on foot of public consultations. My Department is in communication with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Maintenance (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 to 739, inclusive, together. The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966 and are not directly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Policy (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: A shortage of supply is at the heart of the challenges in housing and the construction sector is currently not building enough residential units to meet demand in a country with a growing population and economy. Where the estimated requirement is 25,000 new units per annum the construction sector is currently delivering around half that. The supply issue is putting upward pressure on rents...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Severe Weather Events Expenditure (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: My Department is making €18m additional funding available to local authorities to support them in meeting the costs associated with the flood response and clean-up activities arising from the severe storms that took place since December 2015. This funding is being provided to local authorities in acknowledgement of the exceptional nature of the work undertaken in protecting homes and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Election Management System (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Library Projects (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority. Notwithstanding this, my Department recently announced a new Libraries Capital Investment Programme for the period 2016-2021. Some €22m will be available to local authorities under the programme as a contribution towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tourism Promotion (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: My Department works closely with Sligo County Council in relation to the Council’s overall staffing requirements. However, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 , it is the Chief Executive of the Council who is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority. My Department has not received a sanction...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 Apr 2016)

Alan Kelly: The advancement of the two social housing construction projects in Co. Sligo which I approved in 2015, including the dates they will start on site, is a matter for Sligo County Council which is managing both projects. My Department has made funding provision for these and other social housing proposals by Sligo County Council and I am very keen to see them advanced to tendering and site...